2 hours ago
1
Rory McIlroy has come under fire for his 'hypocritical' stance over Ryder Cup fans.
The Northern Irishman was at the center of debate throughout the competition after being targeted and heckled by American supporters in Long Island, New York.
McIlroy was seen confronting fans on multiple occasions as tensions reached boiling point and his wife, Erica, even had a beer thrown at her by an American supporter.
In the end it was McIlroy who had the last laugh after triumphing 15-13 over Team USA and going on to celebrate the victory on their rivals' home soil.
However, he has now come under criticism from former golf star Paul Azinger - who captained Team USA back in 2008 - over his 'hypocritical' actions.
Speaking on GOLF's 'Subpar' program, he said: 'In the press conference, after it's over, he's saying, 'I think golf should be held to a higher standard of decorum.'
Rory McIlroy has come under fire for his 'hypocritical' stance over Ryder Cup fans
McIlroy had been critical of the USA fans and said golf should be held to a 'higher standard'
American golf legend Paul Azinger has since come out and questioned McIlroy's comments
'Isn't that what he said? But in the meantime, he says, 'F*** you, F*** you, F*** you' in full voice for the world to see.
'He turns around and says to the guy, 'Shut the f*** up,' the guy in the media asked him today, 'How did that feel, Rory, to tell the guy to shut the f*** up and then hit it two feet?' And he said, 'It felt pretty f***ing good,' and I'm like, which is it, Rory?'.
'Is it that golf is held to a higher standard? Or are you just going to 'f*** you' the fans and act like that's okay? I love Rory, you know that, but you can't say that. You can't say the fans need to behave better and then in the meantime, lay them to waste'.
Although all Team Europe golfers were targeted by fans, McIlroy in particular was subjected to continual taunts and attempts to disrupt his game.
His wife Erica became an extension of the abuse, with Shane Lowry admitting after Team Europe's victory that the level of abuse she received was 'astonishing'.
Erica was reportedly reduced to tears on Sunday evening after a day of vitriolic abuse from American fans, which included having a drink dunked on her.
Her husband was subjected to relentless verbal abuse, including chants of 'f*** you Rory' and insults about their marriage.
Speaking after Team Europe's victory, McIlroy pulled no punches in his criticism of American fans and said: 'I don't think we should ever accept that in golf. 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.
McIlroy's wife Erica Stoll was hit by a drink during a volatile final day of the Ryder Cup
McIlroy refused to play a Ryder Cup shot as the abuse from the crowd became too heavy
In the end, it was McIlroy who had the last laugh after winning the Ryder Cup with Europe
'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 in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.
'Erica is fine. She's a very, very strong woman. You know, she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we're going to have a good time celebrating tonight.'
McIlroy and Team Europe ultimately had the last laugh, edging a 15-13 victory in a nerve-shredding final day at Bethpage Black on Sunday.
The celebrations on the team bus afterwards made it clear how the Northern Irishman's teammates felt about the result.
In one clip filmed by Justin Rose's caddie, Mark Fulcher, players performed their version of 'Zombie' by The Cranberries in honour of the Masters champion.
'He's in your head, in your head.... Rory, Rory, Rory' is the refrain as McIlroy's team-mates surround him in unison.
Stoll is pictured with a champagne glass in hand, joyously belting out the lyrics to show how McIlroy had got into the heads of the United States fans in a moment of sweet revenge.
