2 w. ago Swearing, booing and spitting: is crowd behaviour out of control?

As Ryder Cup fans throw beer at players’ wives, we investigate if fans’ conduct has got worse or changed little since ancient Athens when Plato bemoaned the mobThe abuse hurled at Europe’s golfers in the Ryder Cup elicited gasps and dismay on both sides of the Atlantic. The crowd at the Bethpage Black course in New York graduated from boos and heckles to homophobic slurs and insults aimed at players’ wives. The first-tee master of ceremonies set the tone by leading a chant of “fuck you, Rory!”, putting Rory McIlroy firmly in the crosshairs – along with his wife, who was hit with a beer cup.After initially playing it down, American golf officials apologised and said some fan behaviour had “crossed the line”, but the affair has left a nagging sense of unease. What if the line has in fact moved? What if accepted codes of crowd behaviour have changed? Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Tom Watson says he was ‘ashamed’ of US fans’ conduct at Ryder Cup

Apologises for ‘rude and mean-spirited behaviour’Crowd aimed abuse towards visiting players and familiesTom Watson, a legend of American golf, has apologised to Europe’s Ryder Cup contingent for the behaviour of spectators at Bethpage Black while admitting he was “ashamed” of what played out in the galleries. A dramatic European retention of the trophy, 15-13, was overshadowed by abusive behaviour towards visiting players and their families. Watson’s comments come after Rory McIlroy confirmed his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer thrown by a fan.“I’d like to congratulate Europe on their victory,” said Watson on X. “Your team play the first few days was sensational. More importantly, I’d like to apologise for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, captain and as an American I am ashamed of what happened.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy held back after wife Erica hit by beer from Ryder Cup crowd

Rory McIlroy was held back by security after a flying beer from the Ryder Cup crowd hit his wife, Erica.

Events

3 w. ago Ryder Cup 2025 live: Europe stars react to USA fans’ taunts after clinching tense victory in New York

Europe dramatically held off an unlikely USA fightback before Rory McIlroy and others reacted to fan abuse they’d received all week in New York and questions now start about winning captain Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup future

Politics

3 w. ago Tearful Rory McIlroy sends out message to European fans for 2027 Ryder Cup after beer can aimed at wife Erica

Masters champion heaps praise on his wife for how she handled abuse from US fans at Bethpage Park

Politics

3 w. ago Angry Rory McIlroy held back by security as new footage emerges of Ryder Cup incident

Rory McIlroy was subjected to vile abuse from fans at the Ryder Cup on Saturday, with his wife Erica Stoll caught in the crossfire when a drink was thrown in her direction

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy responds to ‘unacceptable’ Ryder Cup abuse as wife hit by beer

McIlroy maintains some behaviour that should be ‘off-limits’ occurred on a chaotic day two at Bethpage Black

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy 'wishes police dogs were let off leashes' after Ryder Cup fans abuse wife and hit her with beer can

Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stroll were heckled throughout the three days at Bethpage Black by a raucous crowd

Events

3 w. ago Emotional Rory McIlroy fires back at USA Ryder Cup fans after wife Erica was hit by a drink

OLIVER HOLT IN NEW YORK: McIlroy was targeted relentlessly by US fans during the three days at Bethpage Black and his wife, Erica, was hit by a can of beer.

Events

3 w. ago ‘Let the dogs off the leashes’ – Rory McIlroy slams Ryder Cup abuse with police K9s drafted in after beer thrown at wife

RORY MCILROY said he wished the police had “let the dogs off the leash” as he blasted “unacceptable” fan behaviour at the Battle of Bethpage. But he admitted it was “very f***ing satisfying” to stick it back to the abusers by walking away with 3.5 points and, more importantly, the Ryder Cup trophy in Europe’s...

Events

3 w. ago McIlroy condemns ‘unacceptable’ Ryder Cup abuse and reveals his wife was hit by a beer

‘Golf should be held to a higher standard than this’McIlroy promises Europe’s fans will behave better in 2027An emotional Rory McIlroy opened up on the abuse he received during the Ryder Cup after Europe secured a famous win in New York. The 15-13 success for the visitors at Bethpage Black came against the backdrop of awful spectator behaviour, largely towards European players and their families. McIlroy confirmed his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer that was thrown during Friday afternoon’s play.“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” said McIlroy. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people. Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland i...

Events

3 w. ago New footage emerges of moment Rory McIlroy's wife Erica is hit by a drink at Ryder Cup... before golf star has to be held back as he tries to confront crowd

The Team Europe star was the focus for a number of flashpoints as the atmosphere reached boiling point on Saturday, with the crowd screaming 'f*** you, Rory' at the Masters champion.

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy's wife in tears after being 'hit by drink' amid vile Ryder Cup abuse

Rory McIlroy was subjected to vile abuse from the American fans at the Ryder Cup on Saturday, with his wife Erica Stoll reportedly left in tears after being hit by a drink

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica ‘hit by drink’ thrown by fan at toxic Ryder Cup that saw Europe in X

RORY McILROY and wife Erica Stoll put on a united front after she appeared to have a drink thrown at her by a fan at the Ryder Cup. The Northern Irishman was bombarded with sick jibes about his personal life, including taunts over wife Erica and ex-fiancee Caroline Wozniacki, during Saturday’s explosive day two at...

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy's wife 'hit by drink' as Ryder Cup hero forced to act after ugly scenes

Rory McIlroy's wife Erica Stoll was allegedly hit by a drink thrown from the crowd during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black as Team Europe extended their lead over Team USA

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy's wife caught in crossfire as Ryder Cup star forced to intervene

Rory McIlroy comforted his wife Erica Stoll after she was allegedly hit by a drink that was directed at him by an unruly member of the Ryder Cup crowd

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy's wife Erica hit by a drink on toxic Ryder Cup day but couple put on a united front in face of taunts

McIlroy was tormented about Erica, his ex-fiancee tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and other aspects of his personal life by fans as he conquered the Bethpage course.

Events