Rory McIlroy Demands Ryder Cup Fan Be 'Thrown Out' Over Use Of Homophobic Slur

Rory McIlroy asked for an unruly fan to be kicked out during his Ryder Cup match on Saturday. The spectator directed a homophobic slur at the pro golfer, leaving McIlroy shocked before he called for the person's removal.

During the match, the golfer also endured taunts from other spectators and, at one point, flipped them off in frustration.

Rory McIlroy ultimately helped lead Team Europe to victory in the tournament and later shared in an interview that the fans' behavior was unacceptable.

In a video that has since gone viral, McIlroy can be seen calling for the removal of a spectator at Bethpage Black, the golf course where the Ryder Cup took place over the weekend.

The pro golfer was making his way down the course when the fan in question called him a "f-ggot" once McIlroy was within hearing range.

McIlroy immediately stopped in his tracks and turned around with a shocked look on his face before calling out to security to "throw him out," while pointing to the individual.

The spectator then fired back at McIlroy, repeatedly asking, "For what?" to which the golfer responded, "For calling me a f-ggot," before storming off.

It is unclear whether the individual was eventually kicked out, but netizens online have since slammed his actions as unacceptable and sided with McIlroy over his request.

The incident was one of many unruly situations during the tournament that involved spectators taunting McIlroy.

On the same Saturday, fans repeatedly booed McIlroy while he was taking his shots, with some even shouting the f-word at him.

At one point, the pro golfer reacted in frustration, shouting at the crowd to "shut the f-ck up." However, his outburst only seemed to embolden them to continue the taunting.

Later, a visibly frustrated McIlroy refused to putt and tried to involve the referee to quiet the fans.

The previous day had been no different, as McIlroy also faced persistent heckling from the crowd.

While he initially tried to ignore the abuse, he eventually flipped off the fans after being triggered by a remark.

Interestingly, his teammate Shane Lowry also made a similar improper gesture during his match after enduring taunts similar to those McIlroy faced.

During Saturday's game, McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, was also subjected to a barrage of taunts from fans targeting the professional golfer, according to GB News.

Some even went as far as mocking the couple's relationship, referencing their split the previous year before they later reconciled.

At one point, Stoll was physically harassed when a drink was hurled from the crowd near the 17th green and struck her.

She was later seen with tears running down her cheeks as she left the course with McIlroy, a clear sign that the harassment had left her deeply overwhelmed.

McIlroy later shared in an interview that Stoll was doing okay and praised her for how she handled the harassment at the tournament.

"Erica is fine. She's a very, very strong woman," McIlroy revealed, per The Express. "You know, she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her, and we're going to have a good time celebrating tonight."

Following Europe's win, in which McIlroy played a significant part, the golfer expressed his unhappiness about the incessant heckling he received from some fans.

"I don't think we should ever accept that in golf," McIlroy emphasized, per Sky Sports. "I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people."

McIlroy also hinted that when the Ryder Cup returns to Europe in 2027, fans there would be reminded not to replicate the kind of behavior witnessed at this year's tournament.

"This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup," McIlroy added. "But you know, we will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable."