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Rory McIlroy and the rest of Team Europe are delighted to have retained the Ryder Cup after a hard-fought tournament at Bethpage Black.
But McIlroy knows the 2025 Ryder Cup won’t be remembered for the shots that took place on the course as much as he would like.
It was only the seventh time in history that an away Ryder Cup team had won, but the biggest storylines of the past month revolved around the verbal altercations that took place between Team Europe and fans on the Bethpage Black pitch.
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Rory McIlroy of Team Europe reacts after a missed putt on the 12th hole during the fourball on the second day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on September 27, 2025. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters via Imagn Images)
“I’ve been following the Ryder Cup story, like everyone else,” he said via CBS Sports. “Unfortunately, I think it takes us away from what we should be focusing on, which is the incredible performance of the European team.”
As McIlroy and playing partner Shane Lowry played verbally with patrons, the former said he didn’t even realize how well his team was playing.
RORY MCILROY DISCUSS BETHPAGE BLACK FANS, IF HE WANTED TO RETURN THE RYDER CUP TO NEW YORK
“The Americans would hit him closer, we would hit him closer,” he explained. “The Americans made a putt, we made a putt on them. And it happened every time.”
Team Europe was on its way to a resounding away victory, but Team USA fought back to make it a real fight Sunday in the singles matches. They managed to retain the Ryder Cup, however, as Lowry made a birdie putt on hole 18 to give his team the victory.
McIlroy seemed to be public enemy No. 1 to the American fans on the course throughout the weekend, and while there were a few friendly chirps, many more crossed the finish line.
Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after playing on the 17th green during the afternoon fourballs on day two of the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. (Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
There have been instances of fans calling his wife a “four”, dropping F-bombs as he tries to line up shots, and much more. McIlroy was seen yelling back, including a moment in the rough along a fairway where he backed away from a ball and told the fan hurling insults to “shut up.”
“Honestly, I would say it’s just impulse,” McIlroy said of his discussions with fans. “Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I’m quite an impulsive character, if you haven’t noticed.
“Sometimes I engage, and sometimes I catch up and refrain. But I don’t really choose when, and it’s just that sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe celebrates after making his putt on the 14th hole during the fourball on the second day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on September 27, 2025. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Team Europe beat the Americans 15-13 and became the first team since 2012 to win a road Ryder Cup. While it may not be the main story of the tournament, it’s one that McIlroy will try to keep in mind as he looks ahead to next year.
