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Watch Rory McIlroy make a walk-off eagle and take a bow to a "hostile" crowd
CHASKA, Minn. -- For a second consecutive day, Rory McIlroy's putter was responsible for the most memorable putt holed at Hazeltine. And this time, it was the four-time major champ and not a fan wielding it when it happened.
McIlroy's walk-off eagle punctuated a spirited rally by the Europeans in Friday's four-ball session. But it's his animated reaction -- one that included a fist pump and two bows to the gallery -- that stood out the most. Check it out:
What prompted this extra emotional response from McIlroy? Of course, it starts with it being the Ryder Cup. It didn't hurt that he was playing against the U.S.'s best player, Dustin Johnson and that Europe was in desperation mode after getting shutout in the morning foursomes session. But it seems it was the (over?)zealous Hazeltine crowd that really got Rory riled up.
"Um, It's pretty hostile out there, I must say," McIlroy said when asked to explain his reaction by BBC Radio. "You don't want to let that get to you, but you want to let them know when you hole a putt, how much it means to you."
Later, McIlroy admitted he thought about the celebration before hitting the putt because he thought he was going to make the 20-footer. Then he summed up the reaction perfectly.
"I bowed to them, said 'you're welcome for the show,' and we move on." Classic.
It appeared McIlroy may have snubbed Dustin Johnson's brother and caddie, Austin, on a post-match handshake, but McIlroy said that wasn't the case.
"Oh, did I not? No, no, not at all. I get on really well with AJ and DJ and all the Johnson family," McIlroy said. "I'll have to go and apologize to him. I did not know that. I sort of got caught up in the moment."
McIlroy and Andy Sullivan lost the only match of the morning foursomes that went to the 18th hole after the duo blew a 2-up lead with four to play. Playing with another European rookie, Thomas Pieters, in the afternoon, McIlroy wasn't about to let the same thing happen.
"I lost myself in the middle there," McIlroy said. "Thankfully, redeemed myself at the end."
Take a bow, Rory. Oh, right, you already did.