Donald Criticizes Fans for Crossing the Line at Ryder Cup
During the second day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, European captain Luke Donald expressed his frustration with American fans, stating they “crossed a line” with their behavior. The day was marked by intense heckling directed at players, particularly Rory McIlroy, who faced a barrage of taunts as he prepared for his shots.
The atmosphere became increasingly hostile, with fans shouting insults at McIlroy, prompting him to respond directly to one individual. His afternoon match was interrupted multiple times as appeals for calm were made, including interventions from his opponent, Justin Thomas. Donald remarked, “It was loud, it was raucous. What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines.”
The expectation of a boisterous and partisan New York crowd was realized, as McIlroy and his partner Shane Lowry dealt with considerable hostility. Despite the challenges, they managed to secure a victory over Thomas and Cameron Young. McIlroy described the day as a “really challenging” experience, while Lowry embraced the intensity, stating, “It was like something I’ve never experienced… this is, like, honestly, the reason I get up in the morning.”
In addition to the crowd’s behavior, tensions escalated between players. A confrontation occurred between Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood after Fleetwood’s partner, Justin Rose, expressed frustration over DeChambeau’s caddy walking across the line of his putt. Rose said, “I didn’t feel like that space was being honoured. I made my feelings known. Maybe not as politely as I could have done, but in the scenario, it’s coming down the stretch.”
Despite the tumultuous environment, Europe showed resilience, winning both sessions on Saturday and establishing a commanding lead of 11.5 to 4.5. Donald noted, “It’s something we prepared for, and we can see how well they have dealt with it.”
Responding to criticisms regarding fan behavior, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley defended the spectators, stating that while there may be a few who cross the line, the overall atmosphere has been positive. He argued, “The Ryder Cup is full of passionate fans, they’re full of passionate players… but the fans of New York, from what I have seen, have been pretty good.”
As the competition continues, the dynamic between players and fans remains a focal point, highlighting the intensity and emotional stakes of the Ryder Cup.
