Lowry ejects fan as New York state police boost security around Ryder Cup group

Security around the Shane Lowry–Rory McIlroy group at Bethpage Black has intensified, with New York state police expanding their presence amid disruptive spectator behavior that has overshadowed play at the Ryder Cup. The heightened security comes after a day in which comments aimed at McIlroy appeared to disrupt his rhythm, including an incident on the sixth hole that left him visibly frustrated as he paused after a shot.

ESPN reported that after Lowry’s tee shot on the 11th hole, Lowry pointed to a fan in the crowd and officers removed him. Golf.com, citing Joel Beall of Golf Digest, described insults directed at McIlroy that touched on his wife and family, Pinehurst, and general taunts such as You Suck, while Lowry was subjected to weight-related jibes. Reporter Kevin Van Valkenburg added that there were at least 30 officers around the Lowry–McIlroy pair, with a strong, visible police presence around the group. NBC’s broadcast noted a reduction in crowd noise following the increase in officers. On the video boards throughout the grounds, “Spectator Etiquette” notices flashed, warning that attendees consuming alcohol should do so responsibly and that overly intoxicated attendees would be removed.

The day’s tensions also reflected a broader dynamic at the event, with McIlroy a focal point for jeering from the American crowd as Europe held the lead going into the afternoon session. McIlroy was seen during the morning session making a pointed gesture toward fans and is reported to have told several spectators to quiet down. The incidents have drawn attention to how security teams have been deployed around key matchups, and the Ryder Cup organizers have emphasized spectator conduct amid the growing focus on on-site behavior. The European side entered the afternoon with a 8 1/2–3 1/2 advantage, and McIlroy has been central to Europe’s early dominance.

The security measures appear to reflect ongoing concerns about fan conduct at major golf events, where groups featuring high-profile players are sometimes targeted for taunts. Two-time major champion Shane Lowry’s group drew particular attention when a patron was removed after allegedly directing remarks toward McIlroy, and a note of caution appeared on video boards regarding behavior near the gallery. Golf Digest’s Beall, while walking with the European team, noted a range of insults and the atmosphere around the Lowry–McIlroy pairing. The broader context of security around the Ryder Cup this year has included more visible policing and crowd-management strategies designed to balance enthusiasm with safety.

The morning session also featured McIlroy’s own moments of candor with the crowd. He was seen signaling toward fans and, in a separate sequence, appeared to direct a harsh response at a spectator, underscoring how charged the atmosphere has been around a course that has long drawn intense attention from fans and broadcasters. As the afternoon began, Europe’s lead remained decisive, and the competition continued to unfold amid the security display that had grown more pronounced in the hours leading up to the next round of matches.

Spectator etiquette advisories and the reinforcement of rules around alcohol consumption were visible across Bethpage’s footprint, with officers patrolling near the Lowry–McIlroy group and other bays of players. The combination of on-site policing, audience management, and immediate removal of disruptive individuals represented a marked intensification in security compared with prior Ryder Cup fixtures in recent years. While fans have long brought passion to these matches, tournament organizers and security officials are asserting that decorum and safety are paramount to the event’s integrity and to the players’ ability to compete.

As play continued into the afternoon, McIlroy’s group remained at the center of attention, with officials and broadcasters frequently noting the dynamic between audience interaction and on-course performance. The security presence and the conduct messages on the video boards served as a reminder of the standards expected for such a global event, where tens of thousands of spectators, families, and fans converge from across the country and around the world. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black thus continued not only as a test of team skill but also as a test of crowd discipline and the ability of organizers to manage a high-stakes, high-energy environment.

The evolving situation at Bethpage highlights how security measures around star groups have become a defining feature of major-team golf events in recent years, with organizers eager to protect players while preserving the theater and energy that captivate fans. As the Ryder Cup moves deeper into the weekend, both the competition and the crowd’s behavior will continue to be scrutinized by fans, broadcasters, and officials alike, with the goal of ensuring safe, fair play and a conducive atmosphere for the world’s best golfers to perform at their highest level.