Rory McIlroy slammed by former Ryder Cup captain: “You can’t have it both ways...”
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger comes down hard on Rory McIlroy after his antics at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
Paul Azinger has blasted Rory McIlroy as a hypocrite after the Northern Irishman condemned the rowdy crowd at Bethpage.
McIlroy, 36, took 3.5 points from five sessions in New York to help Luke Donald's European team defeat Keegan Bradley's Team USA 15-13.
The victory marked a first away win at the Ryder Cup since 2012.
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The 2025 Ryder Cup was marred in controversy as McIlroy and his wife Erica received horrible insults and verbal abuse throughout the contest, especially on Saturday.
One unruly American fan even chucked a drink at Erica.
McIlroy used his winner’s press conference to hit out at the abuse he received all week at Bethpage, insisting:
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. This game teaches etiquette, respect, and life lessons. This was a rough week for all of us.
“When Ireland hosts in 2027, we’ll make sure our fans know this isn’t acceptable. Come and support your team, but do it the right way.”
But former US Ryder Cup captain Azinger considers McIlroy’s message risks being overshadowed by claims he failed to practice what he preached.
Azinger thinks McIlroy can't possibly lecture golf fans on behaviour while firing off expletives of his own during heated exchanges.
McIlroy was also seen trolling Bryson DeChambeau during Europe's victory celebrations.
Speaking on SubPar, Azinger said:
“Rory probably turned down $500 million not to go to LIV. He’s European, but he stayed here and fought for us on the PGA Tour. I love him for that.
"But then he comes out in the press conference and says golf should be held to a higher standard of decorum.
"Meanwhile he’s out there shouting ‘f*** you, f*** you, f*** you’ in full voice for the world to see.
“He tells a fan to ‘shut the f*** up,’ and when a reporter asks him how it felt, Rory says it felt pretty f***ing good. So which is it? Is golf supposed to be held to a higher standard, or is this kind of behaviour suddenly fine?”
Azinger didn’t stop there, warning McIlroy that he can’t play both sides:
“I love Rory, but you can’t say fans need to behave better while you’re laying waste to them yourself. You’ve got to pick one or the other.”
Watch the full interview below:
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