Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood Address Ryder Cup Win After Abuse from US Fans
Sports Personalty of the Year winners Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood have opened up about winning the Ryder Cup despite receiving constant abuse from American fans.
On Thursday evening, the European Ryder Cup team picked up a surprise win as they were honoured with the 2025 BBC Sports Team of the Year Award.
The European golf team, which includes star players like McIlroy, Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, were nominated alongside the Lionesses, following their second-consecutive Euros title, and England's women's Rugby World Cup winners.
But it certainly wasn't an easy year for McIlroy and his Ryder Cup teammates as they faced verbal, and in some cases physical, abuse from US fans watching them compete in the competition.
Advert
Despite this, both Fleetwood and McIlroy remained upbeat when reflecting on the major win, as they spoke with SPORTbible and other members of the media after their historic wins at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
With the Ryder Cup this year taking place at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, it was always clear that Team Europe would face an uphill battle if they hoped to retain the Cup.
Throughout the week, American fans made sure that the Europeans were aware of this, as they did everything they could to put the away team off, leading to some being forcibly ejected from the event.
However, speaking after their win at SPOTY, Fleetwood claimed that this atmosphere gave the players the opportunity to show off their preparation for such a brutal reception.
"I've always said that as hostile an environment as it was, I think we were unbelievably prepared for it," Fleetwood told media including SPORTbible.
"We enjoyed it for the most part. Sunday was pretty stressful but then we got the most amazing moments out of it and what a moment for Shane and his career.
"To win this award, you have to have done something pretty special and I think that's what we did and we're all very proud of it."
Meanwhile McIlroy credited his partnership with Fleetwood, who he played alongside as a pair in the foursomes, as a key part of their success at Bethpage Black.
"I think our games compliment each other very well and we're obviously get on so well. Our personalities match up very well," McIlroy claimed.
"Our caddies are really close, out wives are really close, our kids are really close, so I think a lot of that helps.
"No matter where I put him on the golf course i feel like he's going to be able to come up with something to get us back in the hole, he's an unbelievable partner to have."
Later in the night, McIlroy was finally named the 2025 Sports Personalty of the Year having previously been nominated several times, including finishing runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in 2014.
McIlroy's role in the Ryder Cup, as well as his historic win at The Masters in April, which saw him complete golf's Grand Slam, contributed to what has undoubtedly been the best year of his career.
He became the first golfer to win the BBC SPOTY prize since Sir Nick Faldo took home the prize in December 1989, just seven months after McIlroy was born.
McIlroy added: "This has been a great night for golf. Tonight golf was recognised in such a big way and hopefully we can build upon that."
The golf star was also the first sportsperson from Northern Ireland to win the award since jockey AP McCoy, in 2010, something he admitted he took great pride in.
"It feels amazing, I'm very proud to be from Northern Ireland and represent them wherever I go," McIlroy said.
"Having the Open in Portrush this year and the support I get from back home feels great.
"I feel like everyone back home has been on this journey with me and they were with me tonight."
Topics: Rory Mcilroy, Ryder Cup, Golf
Ben McCrum