McIlroy taunts totally backfire

CHASKA, Minn. — Here is a word of advice for the gallery at Hazeltine National Golf Club rooting for the Americans to win the Ryder Cup: Ignore Rory McIlroy. At the very least, don’t heckle him.

That hasn’t worked out well because it seems the more McIlroy is heckled, the better he plays. As McIlroy was walking toward the eighth tee Saturday during his four-balls match, a fan reportedly yelled at McIlroy to “suck a d---.”

McIlroy stopped and confronted the heckler, prompting security to step in. The fan reportedly was ejected.

McIlroy also had to contend with galleries serenading him with Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” — a reference to his former fiance, tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki. McIlroy joined in, singing the song along with the crowd.

McIlroy went on the birdie the 9th and 10th holes as he and Thomas Pieters won their fourballs match against Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, 3-and-1.

McIlroy said he was hoping to get the heckler removed.

“Someone just said a few derogatory things I thought was out of line,” McIlroy said. “I tried to get him removed. I’m not sure if he was removed or not. These things happen. You try to keep the utmost respect for who you’re playing and for who you’re supporting. That particular guy is in the very, very small minority, and just took it a bit too far.”

McIlroy gave back as good as he got, clenching his fists and screaming to the gallery every time he or Pieters won a hole.

“It’s been a tough crowd,” McIlroy said. “I let it get to me a couple of times out there which I probably shouldn’t have, but it’s tough. It’s long days. You’re playing a lot of golf. Every now and again, you’re going to let it get to you, especially when emotions are running so high. Hopefully, I’ll get a good night’s sleep and take a couple of Advil for this headache I have after listening to the loudness over the last few days and get ready for tomorrow.”