Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica Stoll was struck by a beer can whilst on the 17th green during the Ryder Cup weekend, which saw sustained hostility directed at Team Europe and their loved ones. “Golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week,” McIlroy said in response to the behaviour displayed by American supporters.
Veteran golf commentator Amanda Balionis – who worked with the PGA from 2011-2017 before joining CBS from 2017 to the present day – witnessed what should have been good-natured celebrations. She shared a detailed Instagram post from Glamour Magazine’s account demanding changes to golf’s cultural environment. “If you need more evidence that culture is becoming more misogynistic in 2025, just look at Rory McIlroy’s wife’s Ryder Cup experience,” the post stated.
“Over the weekend, Erica Stoll was subjected to the following: had a beer thrown at her head, was taunted with barbs about her brief 2024 split from her husband, and had to listen to fans chant the name of a woman who, some fans online claim without proof, had a relationship with McIlroy at some point around their breakup.
“At the link in bio, read why the hateful [in real life] harassment shows a cultural shift, one where men feel emboldened to attack women in public, without shame or consequence.”
Thankfully, McIlroy revealed during his post-match press conference following Team Europe’s nail-biting 15-13 triumph over Team USA that Stoll is coping well. “[Family should be off-limits, but it wasn’t this week,” he said.
“Erica is fine. She’s a strong woman. 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 [this win].”
Irishman Shane Lowry’s six-foot birdie putt on the 18th during the Sunday singles secured at minimum a retention of the Ryder Cup title for the Europeans.
He partnered with McIlroy on Saturday and confirmed that Stoll was receiving appalling treatment from the American supporters.
“I was out there for two days with Erica, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing,” he said. “And the way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable, and kudos to her for that.”
