Rory McIlroy had a rough back nine in more ways than one at the PGA Championship on Sunday afternoon. Late in his ill-fated attempt at a third PGA Championship victory, the Irishman had an encounter with an unknown fan on the 16th hole after his third shot from the rough ended up short of the green, eventually landing in a bunker at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Seconds after his wayward wedge attempt found the sand, McIlroy turned to the crowd and softly mouthed the words, “shut the f— up,” proceeding to point his club in the general direction of the crowd that had gathered en masse behind him. The incident was captured on television and quickly went viral on social media.
Prior to the encounter, the television broadcast microphones picked up several undecipherable comments directed at the 37-year-old soon after his shot took flight. The comment that appeared to irk McIlroy the most, drawing the NSFW remarks, was a fan yelling “USA” after the shot found the greenside bunker. The broadcast team noted the comment and moved on, with an announcer stating, “McIlroy not happy with one of the fans here in Philadelphia.”
At the time of the encounter, McIlroy was three shots behind the eventual winner, Aaron Rai. The world number two went on to par the hole, ultimately finishing his final round with a 1-under par 69. McIlroy finished in a three-way tie for seventh with a four-day total of 276. Rai secured his first PGA Championship by shooting a four-day total of 271, earning a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and entry into the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open, as well as a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship.
The closest Canadian was Nick Taylor, who finished in a nine-way tie for 26th with a four-day total of 280. The incident has sparked debate about fan behavior and player reactions at golf tournaments, with many calling for greater respect from spectators.
