Rory McIlroy clashed with a fan on Sunday in the final round of thePGA Championship as chanting from the gallery once again drew his ire.
McIlroy was among the challengers on the final day but found heavy rough on the 16th as his bid for victory petered out. His next shot rebounded into a bunker, although he would go on to par the hole.
However, he exchanged words with a fan who shouted “USA” after he played out the rough. The tournament was won by England’s Aaron Rai.
McIlroy could be heard on the CBS broadcast telling the fan to “shut the fuck up” before pointing them out to security. McIlroy did not comment on the incident after his round, instead rueing missed chances on the course.
“I think not birdieing the two par-fives and making the bogey at the drivable par-four 13th,” he said. “To me, I felt like I played the golf I needed to play the rest of the way. If I birdied the two par-fives and turned that five into a three on 13, the day looks very different.”
McIlroy had repeated run-ins with US fans during last year’s Ryder Cup. His wife was hit by a beer thrown from the galleries at one point, while McIlroy was subjected to abuse from the gallery throughout the tournament.
Sunday’s incident was a minor blemish on what has been a successful spell for McIlroy. The Northern Irishman ended the tournament tied for seventh, taking home $637,050. He also retained his Masters title last month.
