After a day filled with toxic abuse and vitriol so severe that organizers had to rely on police to maintain order, Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica stood united following a Ryder Cup day like no other.
McIlroy faced torment from fans who targeted Erica, his ex-fiancée tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, and other aspects of his personal life as he conquered the challenging Bethpage course alongside playing partner Shane Lowry, a close friend beyond golf.
Later on Saturday night, video footage emerged showing Erica apparently being hit by a drink thrown from the stands near the 17th green. McIlroy can be seen wiping something from her hat and asking if she was okay as they moved away from the rowdy crowd, surrounded by European team security. A fan in the video even exclaimed, “Somebody threw a drink at her.”
Despite the hostility, the couple embraced after defeating Justin Thomas and Cameron Young in an intense afternoon that saw Europe finish the day on the brink of glory. Moments later, McIlroy reunited with Erica and walked off the 18th green arm in arm, showing a united front amid the chaos.
When asked whether American fans had taken it too far by targeting Erica, McIlroy maintained his composure but admitted feeling “drained” after the taxing day.
“When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy reflected. “People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m proud of us being able to win with what we had to go through.”
He continued, “I don’t mind them having a go at us. Like, that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is. Whenever they’re still doing it while you’re over the ball and trying to hit your shot—that’s the tough thing.”
Erica followed her husband alongside Wendy Lowry, Shane’s wife, and Diane Donald, wife of Europe captain Luke, on a day marked by high drama.
McIlroy appeared to thrive amid the tension but gave credit to his playing partner Lowry for helping him stay composed against Thomas and Young, who themselves seemed occasionally rattled by the fans’ taunts.
“I am drained, to say the least,” McIlroy said. “He [Lowry] dug in big time when I had to. Credit goes to this guy. He was there for me all day.”
Lowry added, “It was intense, something I’ve never experienced. But this is what I live for. This is what I get up in the morning for. I really want us to win this tournament. We still have a job to do, keep our foot on the gas. But very happy now, enjoying this.”
The rowdiness peaked when McIlroy lined up a putt on No. 6. So intense were the boos that he stepped away and told a rules official he wouldn’t putt “until they shut up.” The crowd did quiet down, allowing him to sink an 11-foot putt to halve the hole after Young’s approach landed two feet from the cup.
McIlroy later let out a fierce yell, glaring at the grandstand and pumping his fists after draining a 9-foot putt on No. 14 that gave him and Lowry a lead they would not relinquish.
“Let’s f***ing go,” he roared.
Rory and Erica, married since 2017 and parents to five-year-old daughter Poppy Kennedy, appear firmly back on track following a challenging 2024. At one point earlier this year, McIlroy reportedly handed divorce papers to his wife, and the couple looked headed for a split. However, they later announced a dramatic U-turn, with McIlroy calling the ordeal a “wake-up call.”
During that period, rumors surfaced linking McIlroy to CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis—allegations neither party has directly addressed or confirmed.
“There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate,” McIlroy said at the time. “Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
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