Overview

• Rory McIlroy shouted “shut the f*** up” at a spectator while preparing his second shot on the 16th hole during Saturday’s morning fourball at Bethpage Black.
• He and partner Tommy Fleetwood beat Harris English and Collin Morikawa 3&2 to keep Europe’s momentum in the morning session.
• Afternoon fourballs saw further disruption as play stopped twice, police urged spectators to calm down, and opponent Justin Thomas tried to ease tensions.
• McIlroy said heckling between shots is acceptable but called for respect and silence when players are addressing the ball.
• The flare-ups followed Friday’s on-course gesture by McIlroy and came as European players, including Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre, faced taunts and profane chants.