Rory McIlroy Doesn't Think 'We Should Ever Accept' Verbal Abuse After Ryder Cup Video

While celebrating Europe's win over the United States in the 2025 Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy took a moment to call out the verbal abuse from fans who attended the event at Bethpage Black in Long Island, New York.

"Look, I don't think we should ever accept that in golf," McIlroy said Sunday after Europe's 15-13 win over Team USA, per The Athletic's Jenna West. "I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week."

McIlroy was routinely heckled throughout the tournament with disparaging comments. West pointed out that he "repeatedly had to step away from his golf ball as spectators shouted obscenities and personal insults" toward him. He fired back at the crowd, telling fans at one point to "shut the f--k up."

McIlroy admitted that he acted out of character after the barbs got under his skin, but he was proud of how his teammates overcame the outside noise to earn the victory, which marked the first time either team has won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 2012.

"Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. … It was a rough week for all of us," he said. "But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played, and we tried to. I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that."