Golf legend blasts American ‘clowns’ over Rory McIlroy chant

A golfing legend has criticized American golf fans for their behavior at the US Open held at Pinehurst No. 2, specifically targeting chants directed at Rory McIlroy during a critical moment in the tournament last weekend. The incident occurred after McIlroy missed a crucial short putt on the final hole, effectively ending his chances of competing for the major title. As McIlroy prepared for his next shot, the crowd began chanting “USA,” an act that has drawn significant backlash, particularly from European circles.

Colin Montgomerie, a three-time US Open runner-up, expressed his disapproval on TalkSport. Montgomerie stated, “The American fans that attend a golf tournament are not generally golfers. At events like The Open, or a Scottish or Irish event, you typically have golfers who understand and appreciate the etiquette of the game. In America, it’s different. Many of the attendees are baseball or football fans who have been drinking all day and enjoy shouting ‘USA.’ This behavior is not reflective of the true spirit of golf and goes against the game’s etiquette. It comes off as very anti-international, with a sense that America has to be the loudest and best, and they certainly are the loudest.”

Montgomerie’s criticism comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding fan behavior. The final group in the tournament, including eventual winner Bryson DeChambeau, also faced challenges with the crowd’s noise. DeChambeau was seen asking the audience to quiet down as his playing partner, Matthieu Pavon, was marking his ball.

Montgomerie himself had a tumultuous relationship with American fans during his playing days, often struggling to deal with hecklers. He once described the atmosphere in the US as “hellish,” and this sentiment seems to persist. He suggests that Rory McIlroy, like other top players including Sir Nick Faldo, has also had to contend with such crowd dynamics, which can significantly impact performance.

Looking ahead, Montgomerie anticipates similar challenges when the Ryder Cup returns to the US in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York. Reflecting on his career, he noted, “When you become a threat, as I was and Rory is, it’s difficult. Playing on a tough course, dealing with unlucky breaks, and enduring ‘USA’ chants for hours on end is incredibly tough. I always felt winning in America was harder than anywhere else because of the crowd factor.”

Montgomerie emphasized the importance of celebrating good golf irrespective of nationality, suggesting that such fan behavior should be reserved for events like the Ryder Cup. He believes that the crowd’s influence can negatively affect players, as seen with Ludvig Aberg and Matthieu Pavon, who struggled with the intense atmosphere.

“We don’t get that kind of behavior in Britain,” Montgomerie concluded. “We celebrate good golf, no matter who is playing. It’s important to recognize and applaud great performances, rather than allowing partisan crowd antics to overshadow the sport.”