The Ryder Cup weekend was overshadowed by ugly scenes of unruly fan behavior, much of it directed at Team Europe.
Rory McIlroy was one of the players most affected. At one point, a fan threw a drink at his wife, Erica, sparking outrage both on and off the course. Frustrated by the hostile atmosphere, McIlroy even delayed putting until the noise died down and was caught on video shouting back at the crowd in anger.
Paige Spiranac, the golf influencer and media personality, voiced her frustration on social media Monday, criticizing the conduct at Bethpage Black in New York.
“Sadly, I’m not surprised by what happened. This kind of behavior has become normal at too many sporting events, and it needs to change,” she wrote.
Spiranac described her own recent experience at a football game, where a drunk fan was swearing at players and other spectators, spilling drinks, and trying to start fights. She noted that the man’s young nephew copied the behavior, while the family encouraged it.
“This kind of thing is taught,” she added. “Fans should absolutely be passionate, have fun, and enjoy the game—but there’s a line, and it’s being crossed far too often.”
After Europe’s 15–13 win over the U.S., McIlroy echoed her concerns, saying golf should be held to a higher standard.
“Golf is about respect. It can bring people together, but what we saw this week was the opposite. That kind of behavior should never be acceptable at the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said.
