Ryder Cup crowd taunts McIlroy as Europe adopts measured response ahead of Bethpage Black clash

A Ryder Cup fan sparked headlines by heckling Rory McIlroy during Thursday's practice round at Bethpage Black on Long Island, underscoring the charged atmosphere ahead of the weekend. Team Europe, preparing to face the United States, has watched as taunts target multiple players in the opening days of practice, with McIlroy the latest high-profile target to draw a reaction from teammates and spectators alike.

In a video that circulated online, McIlroy appeared to be adjusting the top button of his shirt when a fan with an American accent shouted, “You don't need a button to choke Rory!” McIlroy turned, laughed and nodded along as the crowd and his teammates joined the humor. The moment was quickly interpreted as a microcosm of the week’s dynamic: provocation on the course, met with lighthearted restraint from Europe.

Luke Donald's team has reportedly embraced a policy of engaging with the crowd and laughing off taunts rather than escalating tensions, a tactic managers say mirrors a strategy once encouraged by 2004 Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer at Oakland Hills. The aim is to channel energy from the galleries into a competitive but controlled atmosphere, rather than inflaming players or spectators.

The broader week has already seen European players become targets of American fans. Tom Fitzpatrick? No, Matt Fitzpatrick drew taunts during Wednesday and Thursday practice rounds, with videos showing spectators chiding him as he attempted to chip from the rough on Bethpage Black. The sustained attention from the home crowd has sparked discussion about how much influence fans should have over the players’ focus and performances when the matches begin in earnest.

On Tuesday, Collin Morikawa, a key voice for Team USA, urged a telling balance: he described the early days as “tame so far” but suggested Friday could be different. “I think tomorrow is going to be pretty bad, but I hope Friday is just absolute chaos,” Morikawa said. “I’m all for it. I think it feeds into who we are and the American players and the American team. We want it.” His comments reflect a broader acceptance that the Ryder Cup experience often blends fierce competition with a rowdy, partisan atmosphere, a dynamic that players on both sides must navigate.

The venue itself, Bethpage Black in Long Island, has added to the spectacle, with fans close to the action and a crowd that has shown no hesitation in voicing opinions on individual performances. As Europe looks to maintain composure under pressure, the Americans appear ready to press the pace, both on the course and in the stands.

The evolving approach to crowd management comes as the weekend schedule intensifies, with foursomes and four-ball matches set to test nerves and precision in equal measure. How Team Europe maintains a balance between acknowledging the energy of the galleries and keeping focus on shot-making could influence outcomes over the next two days. The Ryder Cup on Bethpage Black is shaping up to be as much a test of temperament as of technique, with both teams ready to use the atmosphere to their advantage while trying to keep it from tipping into distraction.