RORY McILROY leaned into his role as Ryder Cup pantomime villain by trolling a sea of booing American fans with a cheeky scoreboard gesture at Bethpage.
The Northern Irishman turned and pointed at the live leaderboard, showing Europe in command, as jeers rained down from the grandstands amid a fiery day in New York.
EPARory McIlroy was at the receiving end of jibes throughout Saturday but that looked to have inspired him[/caption]
GettyA fan appeared to throw a drink at his wife Erica in a truly chaotic day at the Ryder Cup[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialRory gave something back with a cheeky gesture to the scoreboard[/caption]
McIlroy, 36, smirked, raised his eyebrows and pointed to the live results, in a clear message to the crowd that the scoreboard – which showed Europe with a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead at the end of day two – doesn’t lie.
The moment capped off a day of high drama, where McIlroy found himself at the heart of multiple flashpoints, both on and off the course.
Earlier, he snapped at heckling fans while lining up a putt on the sixth green, turning to a rules official and declaring he wouldn’t hit his shot “until they shut the f** up.”
One fan near the 17th green was even though to have thrown a drink at Erica.
McIlroy was seen wiping something from her hat and asking if she was OK as European team security stepped in.
Despite the abuse, McIlroy thrived in the heat, fist-pumping and roaring “Let’s f**ing go!” after draining key putts to seal a crucial win with Shane Lowry.
He again refused to play on the back nine until fans quieted down, demanding silence mid-routine before holing another clutch putt.
Lowry himself had a few words with fans as tensions boiled over — the Irishman visibly losing patience with the rowdy New York crowd.
Elsewhere, Bryson DeChambeau was involved in his own bust-up, with angry exchanges near the ropes after a wayward drive sparked more fan drama.
It was a day to remember — and one McIlroy seemed to relish, emerging as Europe’s unlikely enforcer in hostile territory.
How to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup
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THE 45th Ryder Cup takes place from September 26-28 with the US team desperate to wrestle back the crown from Europe.
Scottie Scheffler and the American side will battle Rory McIlroy’s European team in New York.
The infamous Bethpage Black course will be the venue for the latest edition of the pulsating golf tournament.
NBC will broadcast the competition in it’s entirety in the United States.
Friday’s foursomes and fourballs will be live on USA Network from 7 am ET to 6 pm ET.
Saturday’s action will take place during the same hours live on NBC.
And Sunday’s singles will also be on NBC from 12 pm ET to 6 pm ET.
Fans can sign up to Fubo TV by CLICKING HERE and watch the Ryder Cup through NBC’s channels.
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