Rory McIlroy is lauded by fans after brutally fat-shaming US Open heckler in New York
Rory McIlroy’s game might have been off during the last two round of the US Open, but his comebacks still packed a punch.
The Masters champion finished tied 32nd in the event at Shinnecock Hills, outside of New York, this weekend and he had to deal with some rowdy crowd behavior along the way.
After hitting a tee shot during Saturday’s third round, a fan was heard screaming ‘Get in the bunker!’ over and over again.
‘I hope you live there today!’ the fan added as he yelled at the reigning Masters winner.
McIlroy walked back to his bag and turned in his driver before facing the fan and making a gesture to indicate the heckler had a large belly. He extended two hands in front of his stomach in a mocking gesture.
But unlike at the Ryder Cup, where McIlroy was relentlessly mocked by boorish American fans at a nearby course, these fans at Shinnecock roared their approval.
Rory McIlroy wasn’t afraid to clap back at hecklers during the US Open on Long Island
After one heckler shouted out at him, McIlroy pointed out the size of the fan’s belly
The reigning Masters Champion finished tied for 32nd at Shinnecock Hills this weekend
Commenters on social media also shared their enjoyment of the roast from McIlroy.
‘Lowkey hilarious comeback,’ one person posted to X.
Another said, ‘Well done Rory. Own that stupid fat American.’
Many other commenters believed that the heckler should have been removed from the tournament.
‘Just throw these yelling losers out. Totally ruin the vibe,’ said one user.
McIlroy had trouble with fans in this part of the world before, with Ryder Cup taunts veering into his personal life during last year’s competition. McIlroy’s wife Erica was also hit with abuse from fans, prompting other European players to speak out in her defense.
‘I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing,’ McIlroy’s teammate and close friend Shane Lowry said.
‘The way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable, and kudos to her for that.’
Rory said at the time of his wife: ‘Erica is fine. She’s a very, very strong woman.
‘You know, she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.’
McIlroy and wife Erica endured major abuse throughout the Ryder Cup last September
McIlroy endured a weekend to forget on a difficult US Open course outside of New York
After his tough outing on Sunday, McIlroy revealed that he would skip the upcoming Travelers Championship in Connecticut – one of the final Designated Events of the year – in order to better prepare for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in mid-July.
‘I’ll be playing some links golf this week probably coming up,’ McIlroy said.
‘It’s my favorite time of the year to go back home and play, play the Open, and I get to spend a bit of time back there.’
Wyndham Clark, meanwhile, emerged victorious from the tournament – winnng his second US Open in three years.
He entered his final round with a commanding six-shot lead but ended up holding on to claim victory by a stroke, with Sam Burns nearly pulling off an extraordinary upset.
