Ryder Cup 2025: Rory McIlroy gestures at crowd during spicy afternoon match at Bethpage
Darren Carroll/PGA of America
After a surprisingly mild morning foursomes session at Bethpage Black, things have gotten a bit spicier during the afternoon fourball session, particularly in the Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry vs. Patrick Cantlay/Sam Burns match.
With things all tied through five holes, McIlroy came alive as he so often does in this event, making back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh holes to give he and Lowry a 2-up lead. Each one produced a gutteral scream from the reigning Masters champ in an attempt to match the energy of the Long Island crowd.
After the U.S. side got one back at No. 10, Lowry pitched in with a birdie of his own at the 11th, regaining he and McIlroy's 2-up lead. As the duo made their way off the 11th green, McIlroy appeard to gesture at the crowd, a gesture the internet believes was a flipping of the bird.
You be the judge:
That certainly doesn't look like a thumbs up, does it?
If McIlroy did toss somebody the middle finger, we're guessing it was warranted. And probably welcomed by whoever it was. Just a healthy N.Y.-style back and forth.
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