The unacceptable behaviour of fans at Bethpage Black hit a new low Sunday, when a drink appeared to be swatted out of a fan’s hand and struck the hat of Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll.
The beverage toss, which was caught on video by Spanish TV channel Movistar, seemed to connect with Stoll, who turned around in shock, as did McIlroy.
The video appears to show McIlroy, 36, comforting Stoll before the pair walked off.
Golf Magazine’s Dylan Dethier posted a separate video on X of the incident, noting it “looked like someone hit the drink out of another guy’s hand.”
Erica was reported to have been seen leaving the 17th green in tears.
McIlroy has borne massive amounts of abuse from the Long Island fans, who appeared to chant CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis’ name at him Sunday morning. The two were rumoured to have been involved amid the golfer’s divorce saga with Stoll last year, which ended in the pair reconciling.
Lowry explodes after Ryder Cup win | 01:24
Those taunts came one day after McIlroy snapped and told the crowd to “shut the f–k up” while being heckled before a shot.
While the Ryder Cup has always been known for rowdy fan behaviour, the patrons at Bethpage Black have gone up to and over the line throughout this weekend in their treatment of Team Europe — McIlroy in particular.
“Guys, shut the f*** up!” | 00:23
If the atmosphere was supposed to intimidate the Europeans, it has done nothing of the sort.
The play of Team USA has been nearly as embarrassing as the actions of the fans, with the Americans getting blown out over the first two days of competition.
The Americans staged a late comeback but in the end it was Shane Lowry who sunk the putt with three matches remaining to secure the win for Europe.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.
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