Ryder Cup viewers were unsure if Rory McIlroy gave a United States fan at Bethpage Black the middle finger during his Saturday afternoon fourballs match.
Was Rory McIlroy waving to a United States fan or giving them the middle finger?
That was the question as footage surfaced of the reigning Masters champion departing the 11th green at Bethpage Black during his Friday afternoon fourballs match.
On the opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup, McIlroy partnered with his close friend Shane Lowry for the fourth match of the second session
He faced Sam Burns and his former Ryder Cup rival Patrick Cantlay. The Irish duo were 3UP by the time they had left the 11th green.
In the footage below, McIlroy can be seen turning his head towards a person or group of spectators. He raised his left hand, but it was not immediately clear if he was flipping the bird.
McIlroy and his European teammates prepared for this week’s event by using virtual reality headsets, replicating the abuse they were expected to receive.
On the eve of the Ryder Cup, McIlroy was on the receiving end of a heckle that was so good the four-time major champion even cracked a smile.
As he buttoned up his shirt, one US fan chimed: “You don’t need a button to choke, Rory.”
“That’s a good one,” he replied as his teammates chuckled.
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Perfect start for Rory McIlroy
In the immediate aftermath of Europe’s five-point victory in Rome two years ago, McIlroy declared the blue and gold would do what no side has done since 2012 by winning on away soil.
McIlroy did not double down on that claim in his news conference this week, but he expressed confidence that this represents Europe’s best chance for a long time to break the streak.
He got off to the perfect start this week as Europe raced into a 3-1 lead.
Once again, McIlroy partnered Tommy Fleetwood in the foursomes and the pair dismissed Harris English and Collin Morikawa 5&4.
“I think when you’ve got a partner like Tommy you can play with so much freedom and so much trust in your game because you know you have someone that’s going to back you up,” McIlroy said.
“That’s the way I felt the two times we played in Rome.”
He added: “Foursomes can be a tough format. You can play a little tentative with the way the format is but again, knowing I have this man beside me, to bail me out if I do hit a bad shot, that’s very comforting to know.”
McIlroy described Fleetwood as “one of the best players in the world”.
“And to know that I have him by my side, it frees me up. I can play with ultimate trust and ultimate freedom, and you know, you saw a little bit of that today.”
