Golfing superstar Rory McIlroy has broken his silence on the torrent of "horrific" verbal abuse directed at his family, including his young daughter, during last year's fiercely contested Ryder Cup in New York.
'Mob Mentality' and Family Targeted at Bethpage Black
The four-time major champion, speaking on The Overlap podcast, described the atmosphere at Bethpage Black as "by far" the worst crowd experience of his illustrious career. While McIlroy stated he can handle personal insults, the vitriol crossed a line when it involved his wife, Erica, and their five-year-old daughter, Poppy.
"I heard stuff about my daughter that I couldn't even repeat here. It's horrific," McIlroy revealed. He attributed the escalation to a dangerous "mob mentality" within sections of the crowd, where individuals felt empowered by others' actions, leading to a build-up of unacceptable behaviour.
The event, where Luke Donald's European team made history by winning the first four sessions on American soil, was so frenzied that police dogs were deployed on the course during the Saturday afternoon matches. Europe ultimately clinched a dramatic 15-13 victory.
McIlroy Questions US Captain's Role in Calming Crowd
McIlroy pointed a finger at United States team captain Keegan Bradley, suggesting he missed a crucial opportunity to intervene. While acknowledging some US players did speak up against the abuse, McIlroy argued that Bradley, with the "biggest platform of the week," should have publicly addressed the crowd's conduct.
"I feel like he could have said something on that Friday or Saturday night, and he didn't," McIlroy stated, expressing his disappointment that the captain did not do more to calm the hostile environment.
Broader Golf Landscape and LIV Golf Comments
The interview also touched upon the ongoing divisions within professional golf. With the news of Brooks Koepka's departure from LIV Golf just before Christmas, McIlroy, a long-time critic of the Saudi-backed tour, offered a nuanced perspective on players returning to established tours.
He indicated he would not object to figures like Bryson DeChambeau coming back if it strengthened competition, noting: "They've made the money but they've paid their consequences." However, he stressed any reintegration would be a decision for the collective membership of the PGA Tour.
McIlroy also questioned LIV Golf's long-term viability, suggesting its struggle to capture the public's imagination and generate a return on its massive investment could threaten its future. He concluded that the schism has inadvertently elevated the status of majors and the Ryder Cup, as they remain rare occasions where all the world's best players compete together.
"For golf to be relevant I think we need the best players together more often than that," McIlroy asserted, highlighting a central concern for the sport's global appeal amidst its current fragmentation.
