Erica Stoll’s reaction to Ryder Cup heckling wins praise: ‘She was unbelievable’

Northern Irish professional golfer Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, was subjected to cruel heckling at last year’s Ryder Cup, but she has won praise for her measured reaction

At last year’s Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy was at the forefront, but not just for golfing reasons.

The crowd at the tournament were reported to have been rowdy, with the European team being heckled by spectators.

Rory’s wife, Erica Stoll, was also heckled, and videos showed a cup of beer being thrown in her direction.

Now, one of Rory’s teammates, professional Scottish golfer Bob MacIntyre, has lifted the lid on how Erica reacted, praising her highly for her measured response.

He said the European team all rallied around Rory and Shane when they were experiencing the hostile crowd on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.

“On Saturday on the sixth hole, Rory and Shane’s group stopped and didn’t hit a shot for about 10 minutes. I was in the team room doing some physio and I said, ‘We need to go out there’,” he told Golf Digest.

“I rounded up about 10 of us—players, caddies, staff, so that Rory and Shane weren’t just seeing hostile fans everywhere they looked. Honestly, it was Erica who amazed me most. She was sitting in the back of that buggy like an absolute trooper, not flinching.

“if she reacted, Rory would have reacted—and if the two of them reacted, the crowd would have won. She was unbelievable.”

Bob went on to say he wished that someone had intervened earlier in the week. “The only thing I wished for—me and the whole team—was that someone had come out at some point on Sunday and said, enough. Let’s respect the game and respect the players.

“I’ve never seen so many players in the European team turn around and swear back at the crowd. Shane and Tyrrell [Hatton] and me are probably the kings of shouting and swearing on the golf course, but it’s at ourselves, not at anybody.”

Previously, Rory commented on how his wife was treated last year. “[Family] should be off limits, but obviously it wasn’t this week,” Rory said after the competition ended.

“Erica is fine. She is a very strong woman and 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.”

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