The Ryder Cup may have ended on the weekend, but there was so much inappropriate fan behaviour that more continues to surface on social media days later.
And, once again, it was Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy who was on the receiving end of some intolerable hate from a fan at Bethpage Black.
In the latest clip that has gone viral – with more than 10 million views on X since being posted Monday – McIlroy is called a homophobic slur while walking through the crowd with wife Erica Stoll at the event.
“Rory! Hey, you little f*****,” the fan can be heard saying in the video, with the golfer immediately taking notice.
Clearly shocked at the vulgarity, McIlroy turned to point out the fan and instructed security to “throw him out.”
When the fan asked why he was getting the heave-ho, McIlroy curtly responded, “For calling me a f*****.”
The biennial event pitting a team of U.S. players against the best from Europe was marred by several instances of inappropriate behaviour from the fans in attendance – with McIlroy and Stoll being a huge target for belligerent fans who hurled insults at the couple over their highly publicized temporary separation last year.
During afternoon play on Sunday, McIlroy not only told hecklers to “shut the f*** up,” but also told a course referee that he refused to putt until fans “shut up.”
In another incident, a fan appeared to throw a drink at McIlroy and Stoll, hitting her.
There was at least one instance of taunting that actually got a giggle out of McIlroy.
As the reigning Masters champion was adjusting his shirt while waiting to take his shot, a fan yelled out, “You don’t need a button to choke, Rory!”
The clever chirp garnered a big laugh from the crowd and from McIlroy himself.
After Team Europe’s 15-13 victory to retain the Ryder Cup, McIlroy spoke about the rowdy behaviour from fans while also praising Stoll for enduring it.
“(Family) should be off limits, but obviously it wasn’t this week,” McIlroy said when asked about the abuse he and Stoll endured over the weekend. “Erica is fine. She is a very strong woman and she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.”