The Ryder Cup final in the United States ended not only with a fierce sporting contest but also with a series of unpleasant incidents involving the crowd’s behavior. After the European team edged out the United States by a narrow margin, attention shifted to an incident involving the wife of one of the European team’s leaders.
During the competition at Bethpage Black, where the tournament was held, Erica Stoll, the wife of Rory McIlroy, found herself at the center of a scandal. Amid the tense atmosphere, a spectator threw a beer can at her. Eyewitnesses reported that she was not injured but experienced significant stress due to the incident. McIlroy noted that his wife showed composure and calm, despite pressure and abuse from some American fans.
Throughout the tournament, the athlete and his family faced aggressive heckling and obscene chants, directed both at the golfer himself and his loved ones. In particular, McIlroy was targeted with insults, and his wife was doused with drinks. British media reported that Erica struggled to contain her emotions after a series of such incidents.
Organizers increased security measures: dog handlers patrolled the course and the surrounding areas. McIlroy expressed surprise at the level of security, noting that the situation in the stands required intervention from law enforcement.
The European team’s victory was marked by lively celebrations in the locker room. McIlroy and his teammates recorded a video with the trophy, addressing famous personalities, including former US President Donald Trump, who also congratulated the winners.
Another noteworthy episode was the departure of leading comedy actress Heather McMahan, invited to set the mood at the start of the tournament. After an unsuccessful attempt to engage the audience and ensuing jeers, she left the stage. Later, an audio message surfaced online in which McMahan made disparaging remarks about McIlroy—these were picked up by some fans, who began repeating the insulting phrases.
The controversial incidents at the Ryder Cup have once again raised questions about acceptable spectator behavior at major sports events and the need to protect participants and their families from aggression.
