Rory McIlroy appeared to direct security to eject a fan during the closing stages of the US PGA Championship after shouting “shut the f*** up” following a pro-USA heckle.
The Masters champion was in contention heading into the back nine of the second men’s golf major of the year, butstruggled to get his round going and never managed to join the leaders.
After rebounding from a bogey at the 13th hole with a birdie at the next, McIlroy was only three shots off the lead as he headed down the par-five 16th. But a wayward approach shot out of the rough left the Northern Irishman out of position and he could only duff his chip into the greenside bunker, which all but ended any hopes of challenging for the win.
As McIlroy hit the chip though, a fan was heard shouting out “USA” as soon as the ball found the sand, prompting an angry rebuke from McIlroy, who turned around and said “shut the f*** up”.
McIlroy then used his club to point out the heckler from the gallery to security in what appeared to be an attempt to have the individual removed from the golf course.
The 37-year-old could only manage a one-under-par 69 on the final day to leave him in a tie for fifth behind runaway English winner Aaron Rai and Spanish Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm, who finished runner-up in his best result at a major since the 2023 Open Championship.
It is not the first time that McIlroy has been heckled in the US, with the infamous 2025 Ryder Cup boiling over. McIlroy was repeatedly abused throughout the weekend at Bethpage, despite leading Europe to a first overseas victory in 14 years. On that occasion, a fan threw a drink over McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, which prompted an angry reaction from McIlroy during the celebrations.
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