RORY MCILROY AND Shane Lowry have secured their first full Ryder Cup point, defying the taunts to keep Europe’s bid on track at Bethpage Black on Saturday.
McIlroy was heckled throughout the second day by American supporters but held firm as Europe maintained their grip on proceedings in New York.
The world number two shouted at one fan to “shut the f*** up” after a comment was aimed in his direction as he prepared to play a shot at the 16th hole.
Play was twice held up on the front nine as hecklers shouted at McIlroy as he prepared to take a shot. Police had to step in to call for order and Thomas also tried to calm the atmosphere, with extra police presence and security in place.
The release of emotion as the Irish duo defeated Justin Thomas and Cameron Young spoke volumes.
“Hugely satisfying,” McIlroy told Sky Sports after they finished their round. “It’s Shane and I’s first full point as a partnership. We got a half yesterday but it was nice to get it.
Advertisement
“Another blue point on the board, that’s what we wanted to do.
“I’m so proud of this guy, he was there for me all day. I’m drained, to say the least. He dug in big time when he had to. I chipped in when I could here and there. The credit goes to this man today.”
Asked if the crowd took it too far, McIlroy added: “When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging.
“It’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
“I’m not going to putt until they shut up”.
Rory McIlory refused to play his shot until the booing and heckling from the home fans stopped ❌ pic.twitter.com/s4iM7AsFAn
Lowry also reflected on the round as emotions spilled over at times.
“It was intense. It was something I’ve never experienced, but this is what I live for. This is it. Honestly, this is the reason I get up in the morning, for stuff like this. This is what I love doing.
“I love being a part of this team. I really want us to win this tournament. That’s only a point towards victory, we still have a job to do. We have quite a big lead but we need to keep the foot on the gas and get over the line as quick as we can.”
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau screamed in the face of Tommy Fleetwood as tempers flared.
DeChambeau got into the space of his European opponent after a row on the 15th green spilled over to the walkway to the 16th tee.
It stemmed from Justin Rose complaining about DeChambeau’s caddy Gregory Bodine walking across his line.
Rose eventually holed his birdie putt before the American followed suit to keep the match alive.
It was then that it turned nasty with Fleetwood, Rose, their caddies and DeChambeau all became involved in the spat.
Tempers cooled as they made their way down the 16th hole, where Europe secured a memorable 3&2 victory thanks to a Rose putt.
That put Europe even further into the ascendancy, as that made it 9.5-3.5.
It was cordial after the match with all four players and caddies respectfully shaking hands.
And both Rose and Fleetwood did not want to dwell on the scuffle.
“It was a shame that the match got to that point because it was actually a really great match,” Rose said.
Related Reads
McIlroy and Lowry team up again in Saturday's fourball session
Europe lead USA by five at Ryder Cup after Saturday's Foursomes
“I was waiting to putt, the boys were obviously working on their read, obviously going through a lot of their sort of calculations and bits and pieces.
“I waited a few seconds and then I felt like they came up again and I was like, ‘It’s my putt, right?’, or however I said it.
“Maybe I didn’t say it as politely as I could have said it in the moment, but by no means was there any disrespect or anything like that, but obviously it was taken the wrong way.
“I don’t think we should dwell on that, honestly.
“I spoke to the boys. It should be (put to bed) in my opinion. There was no intent behind it whatsoever.”
Fleetwood, who became the first European to win all four of his first matches in an away Ryder Cup, added: “I guess it’s part of it, right? I think, like Justin said, it’s one moment out of two days of a lot of golf and a lot of great golf.
“You’re out there and, yeah, it happens. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
22 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
'Drained' Rory McIlroy defies the hecklers to keep Europe’s Ryder Cup bid on track
LAST UPDATE | 27 Sep 2025
RORY MCILROY AND Shane Lowry have secured their first full Ryder Cup point, defying the taunts to keep Europe’s bid on track at Bethpage Black on Saturday.
McIlroy was heckled throughout the second day by American supporters but held firm as Europe maintained their grip on proceedings in New York.
The world number two shouted at one fan to “shut the f*** up” after a comment was aimed in his direction as he prepared to play a shot at the 16th hole.
Play was twice held up on the front nine as hecklers shouted at McIlroy as he prepared to take a shot. Police had to step in to call for order and Thomas also tried to calm the atmosphere, with extra police presence and security in place.
The release of emotion as the Irish duo defeated Justin Thomas and Cameron Young spoke volumes.
“Hugely satisfying,” McIlroy told Sky Sports after they finished their round. “It’s Shane and I’s first full point as a partnership. We got a half yesterday but it was nice to get it.
“Another blue point on the board, that’s what we wanted to do.
“I’m so proud of this guy, he was there for me all day. I’m drained, to say the least. He dug in big time when he had to. I chipped in when I could here and there. The credit goes to this man today.”
Asked if the crowd took it too far, McIlroy added: “When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging.
“It’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
Lowry also reflected on the round as emotions spilled over at times.
“It was intense. It was something I’ve never experienced, but this is what I live for. This is it. Honestly, this is the reason I get up in the morning, for stuff like this. This is what I love doing.
“I love being a part of this team. I really want us to win this tournament. That’s only a point towards victory, we still have a job to do. We have quite a big lead but we need to keep the foot on the gas and get over the line as quick as we can.”
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau screamed in the face of Tommy Fleetwood as tempers flared.
DeChambeau got into the space of his European opponent after a row on the 15th green spilled over to the walkway to the 16th tee.
It stemmed from Justin Rose complaining about DeChambeau’s caddy Gregory Bodine walking across his line.
Rose eventually holed his birdie putt before the American followed suit to keep the match alive.
It was then that it turned nasty with Fleetwood, Rose, their caddies and DeChambeau all became involved in the spat.
Tempers cooled as they made their way down the 16th hole, where Europe secured a memorable 3&2 victory thanks to a Rose putt.
That put Europe even further into the ascendancy, as that made it 9.5-3.5.
It was cordial after the match with all four players and caddies respectfully shaking hands.
And both Rose and Fleetwood did not want to dwell on the scuffle.
“It was a shame that the match got to that point because it was actually a really great match,” Rose said.
“I was waiting to putt, the boys were obviously working on their read, obviously going through a lot of their sort of calculations and bits and pieces.
“I waited a few seconds and then I felt like they came up again and I was like, ‘It’s my putt, right?’, or however I said it.
“Maybe I didn’t say it as politely as I could have said it in the moment, but by no means was there any disrespect or anything like that, but obviously it was taken the wrong way.
“I don’t think we should dwell on that, honestly.
“I spoke to the boys. It should be (put to bed) in my opinion. There was no intent behind it whatsoever.”
Fleetwood, who became the first European to win all four of his first matches in an away Ryder Cup, added: “I guess it’s part of it, right? I think, like Justin said, it’s one moment out of two days of a lot of golf and a lot of great golf.
“You’re out there and, yeah, it happens. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Golf Ryder Cup Target