Rory McIlroy looks set to ignore a Ryder Cup warning issued by a European hero.
McIlroy is expected to be a key player for Team Europe once again, as they aim to become the first team to win a Ryder Cup away from home since 2012.
The Northern Irishman comes into the prestigious competition on the back of a strong season, having completed the career Grand Slam with victory at the Masters. He will hope that his excellent form can help Europe reach the 14 points needed to retain the Ryder Cup.
However, the team have been warned by former European star Andrew Coltart to keep their wives and girlfriends off the course. The Scotsman expressed concern for the families of Luke Donald's team, suggesting they remain indoors over concerns they could face abuse from the crowd.
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Despite the warning, McIlroy and his European teammates look like they could defy it.
Both European and American stars gathered on Tuesday night for the official Ryder Cup Welcome Dinner. The formal event, held at Hempstead House in New York, saw players arrive in suits, accompanied by their wives and girlfriends.
Among them was McIlroy, who arrived with his wife Erica Stoll.
Although it remains unclear whether Stoll will be at Bethpage Black to cheer on her husband during the tournament.
What was Andrew Coltart's warning?
Coltart was selected as a wildcard pick for the European team in 1999, which lost 14.5-13.5 to the USA, in what become known as the Battle of the Brookline.
He lost his only Ryder Cup singles match to the legendary Tiger Woods.
Coltart told SunSport: “My wife wasn't getting abused because she was back home as she'd just given birth the week before to our first child. But some of the other wives and girlfriends had been getting abuse from the crowd.
“It was just normal derogatory things that, unfortunately, you would expect from a group of blokes that probably had too much to drink. So for Bethpage Black, I offered up the suggestion that it might not be a great idea to go out there and they can watch it from a room where it's safe and secure.
“Now I know that's not what they want, they'll want to be there with their man or their son to give them support. But it potentially can be an atmosphere they will never ever be used to and it could be quite upsetting and challenging for them.
“As a player, you deal with these things but nobody wants their wife or partner to be abused and there's no way the crowd control and the stewards are going to be able to stop that.”
Despite the hostile atmosphere that is expected in New York, Coltart believes that the European players will be capable of handling the pressure.
Topics: Golf, Rory Mcilroy, Ryder Cup
James Taylor