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McIlroy Calls Bethpage Ryder Cup Crowd Worst Yet, Says Bradley Should Have Intervened

He told The Overlap that taunts about his daughter were "horrific" and a thrown drink struck his wife.

Overview

  • McIlroy said the Bethpage galleries were "by far" the worst he has experienced and argued such abuse should not be accepted in golf.
  • He contended U.S. captain Keegan Bradley had opportunities on Friday and Saturday nights to ask for restraint but did not, though some American players tried to calm hecklers.
  • The world No. 2 said he advised players’ partners to stay in New York City to avoid hostility, but they chose to support the team on course.
  • He described a "mob mentality," noting that a small fraction of 50,000 spectators skewed the atmosphere, and police dogs were deployed during Saturday’s disturbances.
  • The PGA of America later apologized, including a letter from chief Derek Sprague, after Europe secured a 15–13 victory to retain the Ryder Cup.