American sports fans are an embarrassment

Transatlantic tensions and heckling boiled over at the Ryder Cup Saturday, with multiple fans reportedly escorted off the property at Bethpage Black Golf Course.

On the international stage, Americans are known for often being loud, brash and utterly uncouth. The attitude is a product of the country’s endearing patriotism and unfettered confidence. The Ryder Cup is a case in point of this. The limits of unruly behavior from American fans have known no bounds since the start of the tournament in Long Island. Chants of “U-S-A” quickly shifted to straight-up jeers at European players, notably the duo of Rory McIlory and Shane Lowry, both of whom snapped back in reaction.

McIlroy was approaching his shot on the 16th green when several members of the crowd began shouting. One American man yelled, “freedom.”

The Northern Irishman and recent Masters winner stepped back from his tee and said, “Guys, shut the fuck up.” Earlier in the day, McIlroy had blown kisses back at the crowd in agitation and was even caught on camera flipping off fans.

He went on to deliver a clean shot onto the green and propel himself and Tommy Fleetwood toward a win over the U.S. pair of Harris English and Colin Morikawa. But he refused to bite his tongue in response to the day’s extracurricular activities.

“I don’t mind them having a go at us. That’s to be expected. That’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” said McIlroy. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing. In between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. But just give us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”

Shane Lowry’s anger also flared in the tournament. His caddie was caught on video appearing to physically restrain him before Lowry singled out an unruly fan to security.  

Here’s the thing: In a sport similar to tennis for its supposed decorum, to the point of having a cliche gesture called the “golf clap,” this raucous behavior by fans is antithetical to the game’s nature of calm and quiet focus. This inflamed unruliness may be a byproduct of cameras and social media existing everywhere and at the touch of our fingertips – everyone wants attention, for good or for bad. Or, perhaps, Americans simply are proving their own inability to host a prestigious international event.

Take college football, unique in its cultural imprint on American fall weekends. Friday night, the University of Virginia upset 8th-ranked Florida State University in overtime. The entire student section stormed the field, while FSU receiver Squirrel White was still laying in the corner of the end zone. Moments later, an adult Virginia fan took a picture (which has since gone viral for its crudeness) of himself flipping off a Florida State player on the field.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the stampede, but the ACC fined the University of Virginia $50,000. Sure, thousands of fans joyously celebrating on a field looks cool…but at what cost to basic human decency?

It is that same lack of dignity we all are witnessing at the Ryder Cup. Sure, McIlory is mercurial and known to let his temper get the best of him sometimes on the tour. But he and every other European player has the right to compete with fair treatment, just like the Americans.

“Go big or go home,” we say in America. But if Americans cannot attend a top-tier professional event with manners, maybe they should simply stay home. Let the players compete without a live audience. Ryder Cup officials should consider whether these spectators deserve a viewing place on the greens. The onus is on them to make changes to ensure this kind of frat-bro behavior does not repeat itself in the coming years – on these shores, or abroad