Team Europe is in the driver’s seat entering Sunday singles at the 45th Ryder Cup. They lead 11.5 to 4.5, needing just 2.5 points to retain the Cup. The outcome of this year’s event is all but determined, barring the greatest comeback in history.
But that does not mean things have been easy for the Europeans, Rory McIlroy in particular.
During Saturday’s four-ball session, McIlroy dealt with some over-the-top heckling that left him to tell fans to “shut the f*** up.”
It was apparently so bad that an added police presence was required at Bethpage Black. After the Europeans closed out the fourth session with the final point, McIlroy met with the media to detail his experience.
Upon being asked whether fans crossed the line on Saturday, McIlroy kept things in perspective.
“Look, you know, when you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging. It’s not for me to say,” McIlroy said.
“People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
After his four-ball session, a video appeared to show McIlroy having to shelter his wife, Erica Stoll, from drinks being thrown in her direction from the raucous crowd.
You can see what appears to be McIlroy asking his wife, “Are you all right?” as he ushered her away.
At one point, his player partner, Shane Lowry, was seen having to be held back from going after one of the hecklers. It was a wild day at the Ryder Cup, but one Team USA would like to forget.
McIlroy got the last laugh, though.
With Americans screaming at him on the back nine, McIlroy simply pointed at the scoreboard on the Jumbotron. Team Europe would go on to win the fourth session, 3-1.
On Sunday, the European captain, Luke Donald, decided to roll the Northern Irishman out fourth in singles. That happened to align with Scottie Scheffler, the only player ranked higher than him in the world. That will be fun to watch.
The rest of the Sunday singles matches have been revealed.
Team USA needs to win 10 of the matches outright. Otherwise, the Europeans will retain the Ryder Cup and likely hold an insane amount of bragging rights.
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