Lowry, McIlroy Flip Off Fans as Europe Takes Ryder Cup Opening Day Lead

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy flashed middle fingers toward the U.S. gallery on Friday as Europe opened its Ryder Cup defense with a strong showing at Bethpage Black. The gesture came amid a highly charged opening day, with Europe taking a 5 ½-2 ½ lead over the United States after the day’s sessions.

McIlroy was captured on video aiming a middle finger toward the crowd behind the 11th green after the European duo moved two up on Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns in the afternoon fourballs. Lowry was seen with a similar gesture during play as fans roared and taunted Europe’s players throughout the day. Earlier, McIlroy arrived at the first tee to chants of "f—k you, Rory" from the crowd, a scene that reflected the volatile mood around the event.

McIlroy, 36, carried momentum into Friday’s action, winning a third consecutive match with Tommy Fleetwood in the morning foursomes. Ahead of the day, he had said he was trying to balance feeding off the energy from the crowds with staying within himself, noting that his results have varied depending on how much he engages with the heckling.

"I felt like at Hazeltine (in 2016, when the U.S. won 17-11), I probably engaged too much at times, and then at Whistling Straits (in 2021, when the U.S. won 19-9), I didn’t engage enough and felt pretty flat because of it. It’s just trying to find that balance," McIlroy said, describing the tricky line he aims to walk when the crowd swells behind the players. He added that the day’s atmosphere was "rowdy and lively" and that it did not make it easy for either team, but that he and Lowry handled it by digging in and staying focused on the task at hand.

The mood around Bethpage was palpable as Europe extended its advantage through the afternoon, with McIlroy and Lowry’s emotions signaling how high the stakes felt on opening day. McIlroy also celebrated a birdie putt on the sixth hole with visible intensity, a moment that underscored the pressure to deliver for Team Europe in front of a hostile partisan crowd. While the gesture toward the crowd drew attention, the European players continued to execute when it mattered, maintaining the advantage as the day progressed.

The two teams will look to translate Friday’s energy into momentum on the course in the coming sessions, with Europe aiming to sustain its early cushion and the United States seeking a shift in fortunes. Friday’s results established a clear tone for the weekend, highlighting the competitive fire that has long defined Ryder Cup play and the intense environment that Bethpage Black has created this year.

As the spotlight turns to Saturday’s slate, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how each side channels the electric atmosphere into their next rounds, and whether the early exchanges will shape the narrative of the weekend in New York.