Most contentious moments of Golf in 2016

Ryder Cup fans

The American fans crossed the line on multiple occasions at the 2016 Ryder Cup in Hazeltine. While majority of the fans maintined the decorum and were well-behaved, there was a certain minority that was booing and heckling Team Europe. There was over the top behaviour and the vulgar and vocal minority often got singled out by the US Captain, Davis Love and US Ryder Cup player, Jordan Spieth.

PJ Willett, Danny Willett’s brother, described the US fans as a “baying mob of imbeciles” and “pudgy basement-dwelling irritants” in an article on the National Club Golfer website during the Ryder Cup week. Whether the fans crossed the line is a matter of perception and location but a good number of the gallery’s finest stooped down to the level that Pete Willett described in his tongue-in-cheek offering.

Rory McIlroy was quick to point out the hostile environment created by the US fans: “Most of the people out there are respectful and are just cheering really hard for the U.S. team," said McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland but now lives in Florida. "That's totally acceptable and that's exactly what happens in Europe. But still, it's a hostile environment that the people out there don't want you to hole a putt. They don't want you to hit a good shot.”

"I think when you do hole a putt or hit a good shot, it just makes it that much more satisfying. I'm obviously not fazed by anything said by the crowd."