Roy Keane has delivered a characteristically scathing response to Rory McIlroy’s complaints about Team USA fans at the Ryder Cup, after abuse was aimed at his wife, Erica Stoll. During the three-day competition, Team Europe endured a hostile reception, with spectator conduct crossing the line on several occasions.
Boos, whistles and strong words were thrown at every European player, with McIlroy receiving the worst treatment and frequently retaliating. However, one specific incident pushed him beyond his limits when his wife, Erica, was struck by a drink hurled from the crowd, which he branded as ‘unacceptable’.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy admitted after Team Europe’s win. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable. It was a rough week for all of us.
“But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played. I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that.”
However, Manchester United legend Roy Keane had a different perspective, leaving his fellow Overlap presenters Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Ian Wright in fits of laughter with his comments about pressure in golf and what McIlroy should have told Erica at the Ryder Cup.
“I’m no expert in golf, I don’t play the game, but I watch top-level sport, and you’re telling me there is pressure on these players because some people were shouting,” he stated. “In football, if you go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night [that’s pressure].
“These guys are playing in tournaments every week, and all of a sudden they are going to be upset by a few yanks. McIlroy has won all the big prizes, do you think he’s going to be upset by a few people? It’s ridiculous. And then they do get upset because of their partners.”
Keane continued: “Let me tell you, if I was a golfer and my partner or wife was getting abuse, I’d go, ‘Just stay at the hotel, love; I’ll see you tonight when I get back.’ You don’t come to the other tournaments, but you get into an outfit and come to the Ryder Cup; stay at home. If I’m getting loads of stick, go home. And I bet they go back to a nice hotel, they’re not going to be camping in a tent.”