Rory McIlroy Curses at Fans Heckling Him During Ryder Cup Tee: ‘That’s a Tough Thing’

Rory McIlroy let Ryder Cup fans know he wasn’t thrilled with their actions during tournament play this weekend.

On Saturday, September 27, McIlroy was caught telling attendees to “Shut the f*** up!” after they yelled during his pre-shot routine at the annual event.

McIlroy was preparing to hit a shot when he suddenly stopped and yelled at the crowd.

“I don’t mind them having a go at us. Like, that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” he later said to ESPN. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.”

ESPN also reported the golf pro was also a target of heckling during the event on Friday, September 26. Things got so heated that his teammate Sam Burns was forced to intervene by holding up his hand to keep the crowd quiet.

“In between shots, say whatever you want to me,” McIlroy added. “But just let us — you gave us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have, I guess.”

The golfer arrived at the Ryder Cup in Farmingdale, New York, alongside his wife, Erica Stoll, on Tuesday, September 23.

The outing is a strong sign the pair are committed to working through marital problems that surfaced last year. The couple filed for divorce in May 2024 before getting back together weeks later.

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,” McIlroy said in a statement to the Guardian in June 2024.

In a second interview with the outlet in September 2025, McIlroy admitted to struggling with the attention and fame he’s received through golf.

“It is a struggle for me to love the position I am in all the time,” McIlroy, 36, shared. “There are times when I would like to just breeze through life and not get the attention I do but I understand that with what I have done in the game, that is just part of it. There are times that I yearn for a little anonymity and having a quieter life.”

He also admitted to feeling too rushed following his April 2025 win at the Masters. “People started to go on about the calendar slam. I was like, ‘Let me just enjoy this one,’” he explained.

McIlroy and Stoll are currently building a home in London, where the golfer hopes they can live a quieter life away from the spotlight. “When all is said and done, people aren’t going to remember how much money I won,” he also said. “What they are going to remember is how many majors I won.”

He continued: “This is my time in the sun. In 10 years it won’t be and that is my time to enjoy that part of it.Enjoy me while I last.”