Rory McIlroy delivered a brutal response to American crowds as a strict rule has been issued for the Ryder Cup in 2027.
The Northern Irishman was a key player as the European team fended off a late American fightback on the final day to lift the trophy. Although he lost his singles match to world number one Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy formed a formidable foursomes partnership with Tommy Fleetwood earlier in the weekend.
Europe had to overcome 'unacceptable' behaviour from the American fans and it was not just the players targeted. McIlroy confirmed that his wife Erica was hit by a beer thrown by a fan during Saturday's afternoon session.
Speaking at the press conference, McIlroy criticised the Bethpage Black crowd and urged for better behaviour when the Ryder Cup returns to Europe in 2027.
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He said: “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. Golf has the ability to unite people.
"Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.
"Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.
McIlroy also called out the lack of support for American players from the home crowd.
“Come and support your team," he added.
"I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed. I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie [Scheffler] today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me. It’s like, support your players. That’s the thing.
“It was a rough week for all of us. But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played.
"I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that.”
After a famous triumph in New York, Team Europe now have another two years of bragging rights.
The next Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027.
It will be the second time that Ireland have hosted the prestigious competition, with Europe winning 18.5-9.5 in 2006.
Topics: Golf, Rory Mcilroy, Ryder Cup
James Taylor