Rory McIlroy called for a tougher response to crowd disorder at the Ryder Cup after his wife was struck by a drinks can during what he described as “unacceptable” scenes at Bethpage Black.
The Northern Irishman was targeted throughout the three-day contest by a raucous home crowd, enduring crude personal taunts and repeated attempts to distract him as he played. But the incident escalated on Saturday when his wife, Erica, was hit on the head by a beer can thrown from the gallery during the fractious fourballs session.
Footage on social media on Sunday appeared to show the moment the can struck her hat. She was not injured but looked visibly shaken.
McIlroy admitted he lost his temper on several occasions over the weekend, once gesturing at the crowd and on another occasion shouting back at hecklers, while police repeatedly halted play to restore order.
Speaking after Europe’s 15-13 victory over the United States, McIlroy said the levels of abuse went beyond what should ever be acceptable in golf.
“I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes,” McIlroy said, referencing the heavy security presence around the Long Island course. “The police and security out there were doing their best, but the language and the behaviour from some fans crossed the line.
“It’s a minority, not the majority, but it only takes a few people to create an atmosphere that is not in the spirit of this event. Golf is supposed to be about respect and etiquette. Sometimes this week we didn’t see that, and that should never be acceptable at a Ryder Cup.”
Despite the ugly scenes, McIlroy was keen to praise his wife’s composure under pressure. “Erica is fine. She’s very, very strong. She handled everything this week with class and dignity, like she always does,” he said. “I love her, and we’re going to celebrate this victory together.”
Shane Lowry, McIlroy’s playing partner at the time of the incident, condemned the treatment Erica received. “The amount of abuse she had to put up with was astonishing,” he said. “The way she stood there supporting Rory and supporting the team was unbelievable.”
McIlroy was one of Europe’s standout performers, contributing three-and-a-half points from his foursomes and fourball matches, though he admitted he “ran on empty” in the singles as he lost narrowly to world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Ultimately, his defeat did not matter as Europe resisted a spirited American comeback to clinch the trophy. “We did what we needed to do,” McIlroy said. “Now we’re going to celebrate like there’s no tomorrow.”
The victory marked Europe’s second successive Ryder Cup triumph under captain Luke Donald, who also oversaw their win in Rome in 2023. His leadership was hailed as “astonishing” by players and rivals alike, with Donald becoming the first captain to secure back-to-back victories since Tony Jacklin in 1987.
Donald deflected speculation about whether he would continue into 2027, when Ireland will host the tournament. “My answer is I’m going to enjoy tonight,” he said, though chants of “Two more years” rang out among his players.
Lowry, who holed the Cup-clinching putt on the 18th green against Russell Henley, said: “He’s the greatest captain ever. The job he has done is beyond anything we could have asked for.”
Jon Rahm echoed that sentiment, crediting Donald’s meticulous preparation for the team’s unity and performance. “He’s been so professional, so dedicated, and so well organised. He’s the leader of the ship and has steered us the right way,” Rahm said.
Even US captain Keegan Bradley, who accepted responsibility for his side’s defeat, paid tribute to Donald. “I think he’s the best European Ryder Cup captain of all time,” Bradley said. “He put his team in the best position to win, and to do that in Rome and here in New York is remarkable.”
The Americans came close to pulling off the largest comeback in the competition’s history, claiming 8.5 points in Sunday’s singles – a record for one session – but were undone by Europe’s dominance in the foursomes and fourballs.
Bradley said he had no excuses. “When you’re the leader and you lose, you take the blame. I made mistakes. This is no one’s fault but mine,” he said. “But you also have to tip your cap to Europe – they played incredible golf in a hostile environment.”
For McIlroy, the victory was all the sweeter given the hostility he endured. “Golf teaches you lessons – respect, rules, etiquette. That’s why I don’t think we should ever accept what happened this week. But in the end, we showed our strength as a team. That’s what matters.”
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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The seven points are:
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Dhafeer Street
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Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
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Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
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Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 600-seat auditorium
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