Rory McIlroy praised for showing his class with gesture after Ryder Cup win

Rory McIlroy was on the receiving end of abuse from American fans throughout the Ryder Cup but still took time to console the kids of US captain Keegan Bradley

Rory McIlroy paused during Europe’s Ryder Cup celebrations to offer comfort to the children of United States captain Keegan Bradley.

The Holywood golfer had endured a barrage of hostility from American supporters throughout the competition and occasionally lost his cool, notably when he told one heckler to ‘shut the f*** up’.

Nevertheless, the world number two took a moment to speak with Bradley’s two sons, Logan and Cooper, shortly after Shane Lowry clinched victory at Bethpage Black for Europe.

Numerous social media users applauded McIlroy for the thoughtful act, with one posting: “This is an incredible photo after the horrific abuse Rory and Team Europe faced from Keegan and The PGA of USA. Yet here is Rory checking on Keegan’s children and probably friends of his own daughter. This is the correct behaviour for all Pro Golfers. Nothing less. Gentlemen’s Game.”

Another remarked: “That is what sportsmanship is. At the end of the day it’s just a game. Yes, Europe won, but yesterday was thrilling with the US giving a massive fight until the very end. Great competition until the very end. Great to see this from Rory.”

Someone else declared: “Rory, you’re a class act Sir!”.

One additional person commented: “This is what golf is about. It’s a gentleman’s game… Win, lose or draw it should not be played like a game of ice hockey. There’s a time and a place for that behaviour. It’s just not at the Ryder Cup.”

McIlroy insisted that police dogs should have been set loose after his wife was hit by a beer cup during disgraceful scenes at the Ryder Cup, reports the Irish Mirror.

The world number two faced non-stop barracking throughout the three-day competition at Bethpage Black from an unruly mob, enduring crude personal attacks and repeated disruption attempts during his shots.

McIlroy revealed that his wife Erica was also caught in the mayhem when a beer thrown from the crowd smacked her hat during Saturday’s tense fourballs round as hostilities peaked.

McIlroy himself lost his cool at several moments during the week, delivering a crude gesture on one instance and shouting back on another, while play was repeatedly halted as officials tried to maintain control.

“I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes,” McIlroy stated at a press conference after Europe survived a remarkable United States fightback to secure the trophy 15-13 on Sunday.

“The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane.

“Look, nothing was going to happen – there wasn’t going to be physical altercation or anything like that – but there was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behaviour.

“It’s a minority of the crowd, it’s not the majority. The majority of people here are true golf fans and are respectful, but I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf.

“I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.

“Golf teaches you very good life lessons, it teaches you etiquette, it teaches you how to play by the rules, it teaches you how to respect people.

“Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.”

A video clip emerged on social media on Sunday showing the moment when McIlroy’s wife was hit by a beer can. Although she wasn’t injured, she looked visibly shaken.

Masters champion McIlroy said: “Erica is fine. She’s a very, very strong woman. You know, she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has.

“I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.”

Shane Lowry, who was playing alongside McIlroy during the incident, commented: “I was out there for two days with Erica and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing and the way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable, and kudos to her for that.”

Despite the heckling, McIlroy managed to secure three-and-a-half points during the foursomes and fourballs rounds but couldn’t maintain his form as Scottie Scheffler defeated him on the 18th hole in the singles.

“I felt like I was running on empty,” he confessed.

McIlroy stated: “We did what we needed to do and we are going to celebrate like there is no tomorrow.”