Europe closes in on away Ryder Cup win as McIlroy and Lowry weather US jeers

Europe moved within three points of a seismic Ryder Cup away win after Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry delivered a fourball victory at Bethpage on Saturday, weathering sustained jeers from the New York crowd and keeping Europe on track for a landmark result.

McIlroy and Lowry, childhood friends who have formed a potent pairing, won both of their matches in the day’s two fourball sessions. Their efforts helped Europe extend its lead to 11½-4½ heading into Sunday’s 12 singles, with 14½ points needed to clinch the trophy. The mood on the course shifted as the pair finally found relief in their performance, with the duo embracing on the 18th green after sealing victory and receiving a far warmer reception from European supporters.

The day was defined as much by the atmosphere as by the golf. McIlroy and Lowry faced crude taunts about personal matters and their appearance, and both players were subjected to the kind of crowd noise that has become part of Ryder Cup lore in the United States. Lowry had to be restrained from confronting a fan on the 10th tee, and McIlroy was forced to back away from a putt amid a chorus of jeers as they attempted to maintain their rhythm and focus.

"What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines," European captain Luke Donald said later. "That did happen a little bit. It’s something we prepared for and I can see how well [McIlroy and Lowry] have dealt with it."

The tension spilled over elsewhere as well. Justin Rose expressed frustration when Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie moved too close while Rose was ready to putt on the 15th green, prompting exchanges that also involved Rose’s partner Tommy Fleetwood and DeChambeau’s and Scottie Scheffler’s entourages. Rose later apologized for the incident, saying he wished he had handled the moment differently given the match’s intensity, which they ultimately won 3&2.

In the face of the provocation, McIlroy and Lowry anchored a decisive afternoon display. Their fourball victory came amid a frustrating backdrop for the home side’s most vocal supporters, but the pair managed to keep their cool and let the golf do the talking as the stands held their breath.

The afternoon session reached its crescendo on the fourth green, when a lengthy exchange of shots and crowd noise intensified. McIlroy backed off a putt for an eagle after a shout disrupted his concentration and ultimately missed the attempt, but Lowry followed with a birdie and a celebration that illustrated the pair’s resolve. On the fifth, Lowry’s own birdie was followed by a vocally ferocious celebration, drawing a rare roar from European supporters and, in turn, prompting a visibly restrained celebration from the Americans nearby.

The atmosphere grew increasingly charged as security measures were intensified. The PGA of America deployed additional officers around all four matches, and large screens along the course flashed warnings about zero tolerance for abusive behavior as the day wore on. Police officers moved to diffuse situations at crowded moments, with a brawl reported as spectators jostled near the final green’s grandstand. Officials said no arrests were reported on the day.

The day’s play also featured a notable moment away from the green. A separate confrontation on the 10th tee saw Lowry move toward a fan before being restrained, underlining how close fans were to the players during a tense stretch of play. McIlroy, who had already drawn attention for a heated moment on the 16th during the morning foursomes, admitted the day had been challenging but said the pair had managed the pressure well overall.

"We knew what we were going to get coming here," Lowry said after the match, reflecting on the hostile atmosphere in New York. "It was a very tough day. Being out with Rory doesn't make it any easier. I think he's getting the brunt of it. But, look, we dealt with it very well."

McIlroy added that he would sleep well after the long day at Bethpage, even as the spotlight remained firmly on the fans and security surrounding the course. He noted that personal taunts had an impact, but the two had managed to stay calm and execute when it mattered.

The day’s events extended Europe’s sunrise-to-sunset control on the Ryder Cup, with Europe within touching distance of back-to-back away wins in the United States for the first time since 2012. If Europe can preserve the lead through Sunday’s singles, the trophy will head back across the Atlantic; the magic figure remains 14½ points from a possible 28 total, though Europe can secure the victory sooner if necessary.

As the sun set over Bethpage Black, managers and players began to assess the practicalities of Sunday’s showdown. A strong European lead does not guarantee success, but the momentum and composure shown by McIlroy and Lowry provided a blueprint for how to navigate a day when the crowd’s intensity threatened to overwhelm the golfers.

The day’s narrative also included a moment of apology and accountability. Heather McMahan, the host for the opening tee at Bethpage, apologized to McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe for the earlier incident in which she directed abusive chants toward the players during warm-ups. She step down from her final-day duties as the PGA of America stated she had expressed remorse and would not host on Sunday. The governing body said it would continue to monitor fan behavior closely and take appropriate action.

In a game where momentum can swing on a single hole, McIlroy’s late-round resolve and Lowry’s steady partnership under pressure illustrated why Europe remains poised to break a long away drought. The mood surrounding the matches had not mellowed, but the players’ focus and the supporters’ quieted enthusiasm underscored the shift in the Ryder Cup’s balance of power.