Rory McIlroy has responded to the treatment he received from rowdy home fans on an ill-tempered day at the Ryder Cup.
Another incredible performance from Team Europe at Bethpage Black on Saturday came despite their star player again being targeted by the raucous crowd in New York.
McIlroy was heavily booed, jeered and heckled throughout his latest outings in both the foursomes and fourballs, with the reigning Masters champion telling one fan to "shut the f*** up" after a comment made as he played a shot at the 16th hole.
There were later delays as McIlroy refused to take his shots while the heckling continued, leading to one of his opponents in the fourballs, Justin Thomas, repeatedly gesturing for the crowd to be quiet.
The PGA of America brought in extra security during Saturday’s play amid warnings to fans, while there were reports of multiple people being ejected from the course.
On Friday, McIlroy appeared to aim an offensive gesture at the crowd in response to his treatment, raising a finger on his left hand as he walked off the 11th green.
Asked after he and Shane Lowry defeated Thomas and Cameron Young in the Saturday fourballs if the crowd had taken things too far, a rather diplomatic McIlroy said: “Look, you know, when you’re playing away [in the] Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging. It’s not for me to say.
“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.”
McIlroy - who will face world No1 Scottie Scheffler in a blockbuster singles match on Sunday - seemed to lose focus around the greens during fourballs as the rough reception continued, but Lowry more than picked up the slack with a remarkable performance littered with clutch moments to secure their first full Ryder Cup point as a pair following Friday’s half.
“I’m so proud of this guy, he was there for me all day,” McIlroy said of Lowry. “I was drained to say the least and he dug in big time when he had to.
“I chipped in where I could here and there, but the credit goes to this man today.”
