FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Rory McIlroy, the target of constant heckling at Bethpage Black, called the fans’ behavior unacceptable and said Americans should have been supporting their own players, not using that energy to insult the Europeans.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy said Sunday after Europe finished off a 15-13 win against the United States. “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”
Over the course of three days, McIlroy was the subject of a number of insults and jeers — some involving his wife and family, others as he was in the process of hitting a shot — that caused delays and prompted the PGA of America to add extra security.
“The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane,” McIlroy said. “Look, nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t going to be a physical altercation or anything like that. … There was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behavior.”
On Saturday, McIlroy played alongside Shane Lowry, and the two received constant verbal abuse throughout the afternoon. Two people were thrown off the course, according to a New York State police spokesperson, and the PGA of America added security to the group and increased fan behavior warning signs.
Sunday’s singles sessions did not feature as many alterations or situations in the galleries, but McIlroy still was often targeted by fans throughout his match with Scottie Scheffler.
“I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed,” he said. “I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me. It’s like, support your players. That’s the thing.”
Justin Thomas, who played against McIlroy and Lowry on Saturday, acknowledged the kind of things fans shouted at the European stars.
“Cam [Young] and I said it to Shane and Rory yesterday that we felt for them. It was unfortunate,” Thomas said. “Cam…
