why is rory mcilroy getting heckled

Rory McIlroy has been getting heckled at the 2025 Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black, New York, mainly due to tensions with the American crowd as he played for the European team. The American fans directed a barrage of insults and abusive language at McIlroy, including vulgar chants like "F— you, Rory," homophobic slurs, personal attacks, and derogatory comments about his marriage and past performances. The heckling was intense and disruptive enough to cause security to intervene and even led McIlroy to pause his shots until the crowd quieted down. His wife was also targeted when a cup of beer was thrown at her. McIlroy condemned the behavior as "unacceptable and abusive," emphasizing that golf should be held to a higher standard of respect and etiquette. The hostility from the home crowd was an attempt to rattle McIlroy and his European teammates during the competition, which Europe ultimately won 15-13. The heckling also involved an emcee who encouraged expletive chants towards McIlroy and subsequently stepped down from her role.