The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black has been nothing short of electric, with rowdy American crowds turning the event into a pressure cooker of heckles, chants, and unfiltered energy. On Day 2, Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy found himself at the center of the storm, delivering a profanity-laced retort to a disruptive fan that sparked debate across the golf world. But one prominent voice in the sport’s influencer scene is pushing back against the backlash: Paige Spiranac, who called McIlroy’s response a much-needed dose of “sass” in the face of unrelenting hostility.
The incident unfolded during Saturday morning’s foursomes session, where McIlroy teamed up with England’s Tommy Fleetwood against the American pairing of Collin Morikawa and Harris English. The European duo cruised to a 3-and-2 victory, but not without some tense moments on the back nine. As McIlroy prepared for his second shot on the par-4 16th hole, a vocal spectator’s interruption pushed the world No. 2 over the edge. “Shut the f— up,” McIlroy snapped, before refocusing and setting up Fleetwood for a birdie opportunity that helped seal the win.
It was a raw, unscripted moment that captured the intensity of Bethpage Black, a course notorious for its tough layout and even tougher crowds. Just 24 hours earlier, on Friday afternoon, McIlroy had flipped off a fan after a similar disruption, adding fuel to the narrative of a golfer pushed to his limits. These exchanges weren’t isolated; reports from the event describe a weekend of escalating fan behavior, including chants of “F*** you Rory” on the fourth green and multiple ejections for crossing the line into personal insults and interference with players’ routines.
European captain Luke Donald didn’t mince words, accusing some American spectators of “crossing the line” with sounds during backswings and targeted abuse. Extra security was deployed for the afternoon four-ball matches, underscoring the PGA of America’s efforts to maintain order amid the raucous atmosphere. McIlroy, partnering with Shane Lowry against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young in the later session, faced continued boos and shouts, though the pair held firm to extend Europe’s lead.
While some fans and pundits praised McIlroy’s composure under fire—labeling him “classy” for channeling the energy into strong play—social media sensation Paige Spiranac offered a bolder perspective. The former college golfer and content creator, known for her candid takes on the sport, argued that moments like these are exactly what the Ryder Cup needs.
“Golfers should be allowed to ‘show sass’ in a hostile environment like Bethpage Black,” Spiranac posted on X, defending McIlroy’s unfiltered response as a natural reaction to the event’s combative vibe. Her “hot take” quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes and sparking conversations about the balance between passion and decorum in team golf’s biggest spectacle.
Spiranac, who recently teed it up at Bethpage Black herself ahead of the Ryder Cup—documenting a challenging round from the tips on her YouTube channel—knows the course’s demands firsthand. “The crowds here are wild, and that’s part of what makes it special,” she elaborated in a follow-up clip. “Rory’s not being rude; he’s being human. We’ve seen too many players just take it silently. A little fire keeps the competition alive.”
Her stance resonates in a tournament already buzzing with pre-event drama. McIlroy entered the week amid a war of words with American star Bryson DeChambeau, who had teased chirping the European captain’s pick during a “Happy Gilmore 2” premiere. McIlroy fired back, dismissing it as attention-seeking, but the exchange set the tone for a fiercely contested matchup. With Europe leading after Day 2, McIlroy’s resilience—fueled by both skill and spirit—has become a rallying cry for the defending champions.
As Sunday’s singles loom, the question remains: Will the Bethpage faithful dial back the vitriol, or will McIlroy’s “sass” inspire more pushback? One thing’s clear—this Ryder Cup is delivering drama on and off the course, and Spiranac’s voice is amplifying the call for players to match the fans’ intensity.
