Rory McIlroy takes instant action with disruptive fan at Ryder Cup | Golf | Sport

Rory McIlroy swiftly identified a disruptive spectator creating havoc on the 10th tee at Bethpage Black. The Northern Irishman has endured considerable heckling throughout the past three days, shouting back at supporters, and witnessed a beverage hurled at his spouse.

He’s been compelled to retreat whilst preparing for his shot on multiple occasions due to fans breaking the quiet with taunts or boisterous jeers. On this occasion, however, the interruption arrived in the shape of a squeaking rubber duck. The initial squeak emanated from behind the tee area.

The supporter then relocated and squeezed it once more to the left. McIlroy stepped back from his shot and instantly identified the culprit.

Security personnel and Team Europe members immediately rushed into the nearby crowd, though the offender had already begun his escape. He didn’t manage to get away with it, nevertheless.

A Team Europe representative returned several minutes later and informed those around, “We got him.” When confronted, the individual in question claimed, “It wasn’t me.”

However, when requested to empty his pockets, he produced a small rubber duck. The disruption and postponement clearly affected McIlroy as he snap-hooked his driver low and right.

He subsequently double-bogeyed the hole and surrendered it to Scottie Scheffler. The problem, though, is that this represents an issue of the Ryder Cup’s own creation.

Whilst some assumed the ducks were being smuggled inside – it transpires they were actually being distributed at on-site bars. For every Cherry Fairway Fizz purchased – a $17.50 cocktail crafted from Sugarland Ryder Cup Cherry Limeade Moonshine, cherry, and lime – a complimentary Sugarlands Shine duck was handed out.

Establishments received a sack of ducks each morning, and by the time McIlroy had dropped the 10th hole, a neighbouring venue had run completely dry. One spectator clutching a duck revealed he relished using it to distract the sniffer dogs. Upon learning of McIlroy’s fate, he promptly hurled it into the rubbish bin.

Whilst McIlroy remained the target of mockery, personal attacks, and boos on Sunday, the atmosphere proved considerably more subdued than the previous day. Extra officers had been deployed following McIlroy’s harsh treatment.

Tensions nearly erupted when fourball partner Shane Lowry was restrained from confronting a supporter. Speaking about the spectators following his Saturday round, McIlroy remarked: “Look, you know, when you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging.

“It’s not for me to say [if the crowds went too far]. 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.”