McIlroy Reflects on Ryder Cup Experience Ahead of U.S. Open

The last time Rory McIlroy played on a Long Island golf course, he enjoyed celebrating his Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black, while also grappling with the unkind reception he faced from New York fans during the event.

The harsh comments directed at him during the USA vs. Europe matches caught media attention and stirred some controversy between McIlroy and the crowd. However, as he prepared for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills—just a bit over 90 miles away—McIlroy appeared to have moved past those negative feelings.

“You know, I love playing around New York. I love playing in this area. We have some of the best golf in the world here,” he mentioned before starting his practice round. “This is different. The Ryder Cup is us versus them, and very partisan. It’s just a different beast. It’s been a tough week for me at times, for sure. But that’s the reality. If that’s the price I pay for living the life I live, I’ll accept it.”

It seems that being on a winning Ryder Cup team has been beneficial for him. On Monday, the atmosphere was more welcoming as McIlroy embarked on his first practice round of the week, attracting a large crowd along with his practice partners, Michael Brennan and Filippo Celli.

This scene was quite different from what he experienced at Farmingdale nearly nine months ago, when frustration with the crowd led him to ask fans to “shut up” during a round.

On Tuesday, McIlroy expressed admiration for the fans who turned out to watch him practice, calling their enthusiasm “amazing.” He also remarked on the vibrant atmosphere in Southampton. “New York is New York, and they’re going to make their voice heard, which is good. It’s a good atmosphere to play in,” he concluded.