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Rory McIlroy and the rest of Team Europe are thrilled to have retained the Ryder Cup after a hard-fought tournament at Bethpage Black.
But McIlroy knows that the 2025 Ryder Cup will not be remembered for the actual shots that took place on the course, as much as he would like it to.
It was only the seventh time in history that an away Ryder Cup team came away with the win, but the biggest stories last month revolved around the verbal altercations that took place between Team Europe and fans on the field at Bethpage Black.
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Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy reacts after missing a putt on the 12th hole during the fourballs on the second day of Ryder Cup competition at Bethpage Black on September 27, 2025. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters via Imagn Images)
“I’ve been following the narrative coming out of the Ryder Cup, just like everyone else,” he said, via CBS Sports. “Unfortunately, I think it takes away from what we should be focusing on, which is an incredible performance by the European team.”
As McIlroy and his playing partner Shane Lowry verbally sparred with patrons, the former said he didn’t even realize how well his team was playing.
RORY MCILROY DISCUSSES BETHPAGE BLACK FANS WHETHER HE WANTS THE RYDER CUP BACK IN NEW YORK
“The Americans wanted to hit it close, we wanted to hit it closer,” he explained. “The Americans wanted to hole a putt, we wanted to hole a putt on top of them. And it just happened every single time.”
Team Europe was on its way to a blowout win on the road, but Team USA fought back to make it a real match on Sunday during the singles matches. However, they were able to retain the Ryder Cup when Lowry buried a birdie putt on the 18th hole to give his team the win.
McIlroy appeared to be public enemy No. 1 for USA fans on the course all weekend, and while there were some friendly chirps, many others crossed the line.
Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after hitting the 17th green during the afternoon fourballs on Day Two of the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. (Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
There were instances where fans called his wife “a four,” dropped F-bombs while he tried to line up shots, and more. McIlroy was seen yelling back, including a moment in the rough along a fairway where he stepped back from a ball and told the fan hurling insults to “shut up.”
“Honestly, I’d say it’s just on impulse,” McIlroy said of talking to fans. “Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. I’m quite an impulsive character, if you haven’t noticed.
“Sometimes I want to engage and sometimes I want to catch myself and not. But I don’t really choose when and it’s just sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.
Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates after making his putt on the 14th hole during the fourballs on the second day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on September 27, 2025. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Team Europe defeated the Americans, 15-13, to become the first team since 2012 to win a Road Ryder Cup. While it may not be the main story of the tournament, it’s one McIlroy will try to keep in mind as he looks ahead to next year.
