Rory McIlroy risks ban as golf star speaks out about ‘rowdy’ fans | Golf | Sport
Rory McIlroy risks breaking a rule that once saw a golf icon banned from the PGA Tour (Image: Getty)
Golf would be a much different place without Rory McIlroy in it. However, fans may soon get a glimpse of what that landscape looks like amid talk the two-time Masters champion could be at risk of breaking a rule that previously saw a legend of the game banned for one year.
After all, the PGA Tour has to be consistent in its punishments. And despite being the face of an entire generation of European golf, McIlroy is approaching shaky territory after making major changes to his game in recent years. The American swing has continued across the United States just as World Cup 2026 has an impact all over the country. However, with just three weeks to go before The Open returns to Royal Birkdale, football is also leaving its mark as one star commented on ‘rowdy’ fans having their say in the latest golf headlines.
McIlroy risks severe ban
McIlroy has made no secret of the fact he’s made a concerted effort to de-escalate his PGA Tour activity across the past couple of seasons, concentrating instead on more practice rounds for the majors. However, his lack of activity could end up having some dire consequences in the near future.
As things stand, the Holywood icon has played in only nine PGA Tour events so far in 2026 and doesn’t intend on playing either the Wyndham Championship or 3M Open. His number will increase to 11 provided he competes in both The Open and the Scottish Open as planned.
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Add to that the same three FedEx Cup play-off events that McIlroy participated in last year and he’s up to 14 for the year. However, PGA Tour members are required to play 15 events per calendar year in order to keep their credentials, putting organisers in an awkward position with their marquee European star.
Golf legend Seve Ballesteros ran afoul of the same rule back in 1985 when he played only nine events at a very similar point in his career compared to McIlroy now. His membership for the 1986 campaign was therefore suspended.
It’s highly unlikely the PGA Tour will actually keep McIlroy from competition and will find some loophole to keep him in contention for 2027. However, it’s also not a good look making exceptions for certain players.
Norway stars get ‘rowdy’ reception
A chaotic crossover between sports unfolded in Connecticut as the Travelers Championship made it past the midway point. And with Norway playing France at World Cup 2026 in Boston on Friday evening, some Scandinavians stopped off at TPC River Highlands to show their love for a different set of athletes.
Norwegians Viktor Hovland and Kristoffer Reitan are both in the running for the Travelers Championship this weekend. And one report referred to the Norway supporters as “rowdy” as they even treated the two stars to a few renditions of the famous ‘Viking Row’ that has been in full swing during the nation’s World Cup games.
“I think the games and the golf events set up quite nicely, so they can make a pit stop here for the interested fans or the golf-interested fans,” said Reitan after Thursday’s first round. “So it sets up quite nicely for that. And it’s cool for them to make a pit stop here and for me to experience a miniature version of what the football players get to experience.”
The added support seemed to work its magic, with Hovland second in the leaderboard after two rounds, just two strokes behind Scottie Scheffler, and Reitan very much in the hunt at T14.
It wasn’t as positive for Norway, whose final Group I fixture ended with a 4-1 defeat to Les Bleus on Friday night, where Didier Deschamps was absent as he attended his mother’s funeral. Still, their spot in the last 32 is secure as they prepare for a knockout clash against the Ivory Coast in Texas on Tuesday.
