New York fans are expected to be loud and very pro-American at the 2025 Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and the European team have been working to earn some support ahead of the tournament at Bethpage Black. Both themes were on full display Thursday, when a U.S. fan’s “choke” heckle earned laughs — and even praise — from McIlroy and his teammates.
U.S. fan heckles McIlroy: ‘You don’t need button to choke’
There’s been much talk about how the New York spectators will behave this week at the Bethpage Ryder Cup — and even a touch of apprehension.
While U.S. player Collin Morikawa admitted the atmosphere had been “tame” during the practice rounds, that is sure to change come Friday morning.
Another feature of the pre-tournament action at Bethpage has been a European effort to win over some fans, or at least avoid their worst taunts during the real matches.
European players such as McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry have spent a lot of time signing autographs, taking pictures and chatting up the American fans on-site this week. And stars like McIlroy and Lowry have been serenaded with plenty of applause.
It’s unlikely the Euro effort will be successful, but we saw another twist on the campaign on Thursday. There, Gary Williams of Golf Channel caught a hilarious fan heckle on video, as well as the European players’ telling reaction.
In the video, a group of European players, including McIlroy, Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton, are waiting to tee off on Bethpage Black’s 3rd hole.
McIlroy can be seen buttoning up his purple Team Europe polo shirt. That’s when the fan let out his heckle.
“You don’t need a button to choke, Rory,” the fan shouted, earning laughs from the crowd.
But the taunting remark also earned laughs from the European players. McIlroy took it a step further, pointing at the fan and replying with something along the lines of “that was a good one.”
Check it out below.
We’ll see if the fans’ taunts get more aggressive on Friday, and if the European players have a different reaction in the heat of the competition.
