Rory McIlroy expressed worry for his spouse, Erica Stoll, following an incident where she was reportedly struck by a drink thrown from the rowdy Ryder Cup crowd at Bethpage Black Golf Course. While partnering with Shane Lowry in Saturday’s four-ball session, McIlroy endured continuous taunting from the boisterous New York spectators.

The unfriendly reception was anticipated by McIlroy, who has been a target of various jeers from the crowd. However, it appears that verbal insults were not the only form of aggression directed towards McIlroy. Reports suggest that a spectator threw a drink at the 36-year-old but mistakenly hit his wife instead, as per Mirror US. In a widely circulated video, McIlroy is seen comforting Stoll, removing something from her hat, and asking if she is okay.

Subsequently, the couple relocated away from the crowd, with Stoll frequently glancing back in search of the alleged offender. Many golf enthusiasts took to social media to condemn the reported mistreatment towards Stoll, deeming it excessive.

Numerous comments emphasized the need to respect players’ families, stating that rowdy behavior should not extend to spouses. This incident was not the first time McIlroy encountered hostility from spectators at Bethpage Black, with hecklers disrupting his shots on multiple occasions.

During one instance on the 16th hole, McIlroy halted his shot preparation to retort to the personal insults directed at him. Despite acknowledging that such reception is part of the Ryder Cup experience on American soil, McIlroy highlighted the importance of allowing players to focus during their shots without excessive distractions.

As Team Europe maintained a commanding lead of 11.5-4.5 over Team USA after Saturday’s events, the Ryder Cup will culminate in 12 singles matches on Sunday. Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the Ryder Cup, offering extended coverage of all three days of the competition.