MacIntyre heckled on Ryder Cup opening day as Europe falters in morning session

Robert MacIntyre, Scotland’s standout European performer, endured a torrent of abuse from United States supporters on the opening day of the Ryder Cup as Team Europe sought an opening-session statement. Paired with Viktor Hovland, the pair were edged out by Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, a result that denied Europe a 4-0 morning whitewash. MacIntyre and Hovland had staged a late rally, recovering from three down after 11 holes to level, but as the Scot prepared for his tee shot on the 17th, a chorus of jeers rose from the crowd.

A spectator directed the taunt with the words, 'you b***** w*****,' while others urged him to 'do some cardio' and queried whether he had 'ever been for a run.' The incident added a volatile edge to a day dominated by high-stakes golf. MacIntyre later addressed the distractions, insisting that Trump’s attendance would not derail his focus. 'It's just another spectator. I just play golf. I'm not bright enough, for one, to be worrying about politics. I'm worrying more about what goes on this week on the golf course,' he said. 'As a European, we've got a job to do to try and compete as hard as we can and hopefully win the Ryder Cup.'

The crowd atmosphere came amid the broader backdrop of the Ryder Cup’s high-profile environment, including the presence of U.S. president Donald Trump, which MacIntyre acknowledged but said would not change his approach to the challenge.

The episode occurred as Team Europe started the day with momentum. Europe had come into the matches with a sense of momentum, and the rest of the morning’s outcomes appeared to tilt in their favor. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, and Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick all won their respective matches, placing Europe on the cusp of a historic first opening-session whitewash on American soil. However, the late-match win by Schauffele and Cantlay and MacIntyre’s defeat meant the day ended with a more cautious outlook for Europe, as the Americans closed out the 17th and 18th holes to secure victory in that pairing by a two-hole margin.

MacIntyre has been a key figure for Europe in recent Ryder Cups, contributing to the 2023 triumph where he went unbeaten in his maiden appearance in Rome. Europe’s recent history has been favorable, with five of the last seven Ryder Cup trophies heading Europe’s way, a record that underscored the weight of expectation on the team as the event moved to the United States in 2025. The Scotsman’s personal experiences in major team events have been part of a broader narrative about European resilience amid intense spectator scrutiny.

The morning session’s result underscored the challenge of maintaining composure in a high-pressure atmosphere, especially with the Ryder Cup’s unique context where national pride is entwined with intense fan engagement. While the day’s events carried a charged atmosphere, MacIntyre’s comments reflected a focus on the course and a commitment to the European cause, a stance that players across both sides have historically emphasized when they face hostile galleries.

Looking ahead, Europe will continue to press its bid for a strong overall result as the competition advances into the afternoon sessions. The golfer’s ability to manage distractions—and still execute under pressure—will be a talking point for analysts and fans as the Ryder Cup’s continuing chapters unfold in a setting that blends sport with a distinct pageantry and, at times, controversy. The episode also reignited dialogue about crowd conduct at golf events and the responsibilities of organizers to maintain a respectful environment while preserving the intensity that makes Ryder Cup golf a uniquely electric spectacle.