The shocking moment came near the 17th green at Bethpage Black, where McIlroy was competing alongside Shane Lowry in Saturday’s fourballs. Footage showed the Northern Irishman stopping to comfort Stoll, wiping something from her hat before asking if she was okay. Spectators nearby could be heard shouting: “Somebody threw a drink at her!”
While it remains unclear from video evidence whether Stoll was directly struck, reports suggested she was visibly shaken. After the match concluded, McIlroy was seen walking with his arm around his wife on the 18th green as she wiped away tears.
The 38-year-old had spent the day cheering on her husband in the New York heat, wearing a straw-colored hat and light blouse. The incident marred what had already been a fiery atmosphere, with European players repeatedly targeted by sections of the home crowd.
Despite the upsetting scenes, McIlroy tried to maintain composure when asked about the hostility.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us—that’s to be expected,” he said. “But when you’re standing over a shot, you’d like the same respect the American players get. In between shots, say whatever you want to me—that’s fine. Just let us hit.”
The world number two added that it was up to others to judge whether fans had gone too far, but expressed pride in how Team Europe were handling the pressure.
The alleged incident involving Stoll is the latest flashpoint in a Ryder Cup dominated as much by fan behavior as by golf itself, with calls growing louder for tighter control over crowd conduct.
