Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia hit out at abusive fans
Sunday 2 October 2016 01:41, UK
Rory McIlroy called for an abusive fan to be removed from the course as the second day of the Ryder Cup was marred by crowd disturbances at Hazeltine National.
McIlroy was targeted for abuse and claimed some comments had "crossed the line", although he retained his focus to partner Belgian rookie Thomas Pieters to Europe's only win of the afternoon fourballs as Team USA opened up a commanding three-point advantage.
Sergio Garcia was also critical of the behaviour outside the ropes, although both were keen to stress that only a small minority of fans were to blame while the American players were praised for their attempts at keeping order.
"Someone just said a few derogatory things I thought were over the line," said McIlroy after a 3&1 win over Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka - his third straight victory alongside the impressive Pieters.
"I tried to get him removed. I'm not sure if he was or not but these things happen. It is golf at the end of the day. You try to keep your utmost for who you are playing and for who you are supporting. That particular guy, who is obviously in a very, very, very small minority, just took it a bit too far.
"It's a tough environment but we expect that. You have to keep your concentration out there and it's been a long day and sometimes emotions run high. But it fuelled me a lot. The more they shouted, the better we played, so I hope they shout at us all day Sunday.
"I think there's been some boundaries over stepped, but you just need to concentrate. I let it get to me a couple of times out there which I probably shouldn't have, but it's tough."
Garcia was also rattled as he and Martin Kaymer slumped to a 2&1 defeat to Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar, and the Spaniard admitted some of the abuse aimed at him had left him feeling "ashamed" for his American girlfriend, Golf Channel reporter Angela Akins.
"They have been quite poor, I'm not going to lie" he said. "Obviously it's unfortunate because I think that 85 per cent of the people are great and I love playing in America. But that 15 per cent that is really bad, it makes the rest look bad.
"I feel ashamed for my girlfriend, because I know how bad she feels when she hears all the things, but it is what it is. It's as simple as that."
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European vice-captain Ian Poulter tweeted: "Irrespective of the score the US players are policing the fans as
they are embarrassed of their behaviour. Shame some spoiling this."
Captain Darren Clarke added: "It's just the Ryder Cup and people are exuberant and enjoying themselves. I'm sure that everybody will do their best to deal with it, but people just seemed to enjoy themselves a little bit too much at times."
