Shane Lowry, a prominent Irish golfer, took action against a disruptive spectator at the Ryder Cup by having them removed from the venue. Angered by a heckler’s behavior, Lowry unleashed a profanity-laden outburst that led to the ejection of the individual from Bethpage Black.
Reports from Sky Sports described the conduct of some home supporters as “nasty,” with leading European players like Rory McIlroy facing unwarranted abuse from fans situated near the course. Despite Lowry and McIlroy’s ability to handle criticism, a particular remark crossed the line for Lowry, prompting him to request security to escort a fan out.
Nick Faldo, a six-time Major champion, expressed his frustration and called for Ryder Cup officials to step in following the incident involving Lowry. The European team has a significant number of traveling supporters, but those backing the opposing team appear intent on causing disruption, affecting the players’ performance on the field.
Reporting live from the event, Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir highlighted the incident involving Lowry and the challenges of maintaining a positive mindset amidst negative energy from the crowd. The atmosphere created by fans directing abuse towards European players was deemed counterproductive and challenging for players to thrive in.
Earlier in the day, McIlroy experienced a confrontation with a US fan who shouted a provocative remark just before his swing. In response, McIlroy halted and bluntly told the spectators to be quiet. He later clarified that his reaction was triggered by the untimely disruption caused by the fan’s chant.
