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Rory McIlroy Calls Bethpage Ryder Cup Crowd 'By Far the Worst,' Says Bradley Should Have Intervened

His Overlap interview renews scrutiny of crowd control, with attention on the captain's responsibility.

Overview

  • McIlroy said Europe endured persistent abuse at Bethpage Black, describing taunts that included personal insults about his family.
  • He contrasted the New York galleries with Minnesota 2016, saying the earlier hostility was mild by comparison to what he heard last year.
  • He characterized the atmosphere as a mob mentality, noting roughly 50,000 fans on the first two days can be swayed by a small minority.
  • McIlroy said he and U.S. captain Keegan Bradley have spoken privately and maintained Bradley could have urged restraint on Friday or Saturday.
  • He added that Sunday felt calmer as crowds dispersed across more matches, and Europe ultimately secured the trophy on U.S. soil.