Justin Rose and Shane Lowry comment on behaviour of Rory McIlroy’s wife during Ryder Cup

Justin Rose and Shane Lowry comment on behaviour of Rory McIlroy’s wife during Ryder Cup

Justin Rose and Shane Lowry have praised Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica, for the way she handled herself during one of the most heated moments of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

McIlroy, who was embroiled in a tense exchange with spectators after claims a drink had been thrown in the direction of his wife on Saturday evening, admitted that emotions had been running high. The incident sparked widespread reaction, with fans and pundits divided over the behaviour of the New York crowd.

Rose, one of Team Europe’s most experienced players, was quick to commend Erica’s composure amid the chaos. “It was a volatile atmosphere, and she was caught in the middle of it through no fault of her own,” Rose said. “I think she handled it with incredible dignity. Not everyone could have kept calm in that situation.”

Lowry, who played a pivotal role in Europe’s victory, echoed Rose’s words. “The crowd was giving us stick all week – that’s part of what you expect at a Ryder Cup in the States,” Lowry said. “But what happened with Rory’s wife crossed a line. She didn’t ask for that, and the way she stood by him without making it bigger than it already was says a lot about her character.”

The incident has reignited conversations about fan behaviour at major golf events, with calls for stricter enforcement from the PGA of America. For McIlroy, though, the focus has turned back to Europe’s hard-fought triumph, while his teammates continue to highlight the quiet strength shown by his wife during one of the most dramatic weekends in Ryder Cup history.