SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER’S dad rebuked an American Ryder Cup fan who was hurling abuse at Rory McIlroy.
It was a mammoth weekend of golf as tempers flared at Bethpage Black on Europe’s way to their Ryder Cup victory.
Rory McIlroy had a surprising ally as he powered through a sea of heckling at the Ryder CupSportsfile
GettyScott Scheffler, father of Scottie Scheffler, reportedly tried to stop the abuse[/caption]
Several players ended up making headlines for their heated confrontations with fans and with each other.
But the biggest target of the rowdy home crowd was Northern Irish star McIlroy.
He was involved in several incidents of heckling ranging from the comic to the vile as he helped his team pull into a generous lead over the first two days.
These incidents saw the golfer strike back, getting multiple fans removed from the course and telling some to “Shut the f*** up” as they disrupted his swing.
But the 36-year-old was not the only man on the course remonstrating with the overzealous audience.
One surprise figure coming to his defence was Scott Scheffler, father of world No.1 and McIlroy’s rival Scottie.
Per the Mail, when McIlroy received abuse from the crowd while playing against Scheffler in Sunday’s singles, his opponent’s father told them: “Be nice, nice works better.”
“Everybody be nice,” he continued, as he attempted to calm the tense atmosphere.
Though respect is due for his non-partisan attempt at maintaining respect on the course, the intervention appeared to have little impact.
As Team USA revved up their spirited attempt at a comeback, the rising energy in the crowd manifested into the same instances of inappropriate behaviour that had plagued the entire tournament.
GettyScheffler was paired up against McIlroy in singles on the final day of action[/caption]
PAMcIlroy’s wife Erica also received abuse and even had a drink thrown at her[/caption]
Perhaps the most egregious example was when a fan threw a drink at McIlroy’s wife Erica as they walked by during Saturday fourballs.
The American was reduced to tears by the abuse she received at the tournament, with McIlroy condemning the behavior of the fans responsible.
Teammate Shane Lowry was shocked by the attacks aimed at the bystander, saying: “I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing.
“The way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable.”
Other instances of bad blood on the course included Lowry screaming “F*** you” at the crowd after sinking a putt.
The Irishman, who would later sink the crucial putt to stem the US’ comeback and retain the Cup for Europe, had faced a torrent of abuse related to his weight during the tournament.
McIlroy was not afraid to bark back at fans as he dominated the early sessionsSportsfile
Shutterstock EditorialShane Lowry was overcome with passion when he sank the decisive putt[/caption]
And tension flared between the golfers themselves as well.
Bryson DeChambeau got into it with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose after the latter bluntly asked the American’s caddie to move away from his line on the green.
McIlroy would later cover up DeChambeau’s name with a European flag during his team’s celebrations, egged on by his teammates and the visiting crowd.
The tournament gave viewers some of the most exciting golfing moments in recent memory, but fans will hope the conduct has improved by the time Europe defend their trophy in Ireland in 2027.
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