Rory McIlroy Involved in Heated Moment With Fan During PGA Championship Final Round

During the final round of the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy was heckled with "USA" chants by a spectator at Aronimink Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy Involved in Heated Moment With Fan During PGA Championship Final Round

Rory McIlroy was heckled by a fan (Image via Imago/X/@LIVGolfNation)

On Sunday, Rory McIlroy was once again involved in a heated moment with a fan. During the final round of the 2026 PGA Championship, the 6-time major champion fired back at a spectator who seemingly heckled him.

The Northern Irish golfer arrived at the Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania on Sunday, hoping to add another major title to his name. He was one of the 22 golfers who were within 4 shots of the lead after the end of play on Saturday.

This was a major surge from him after the start he had. The World No.2 was ranked 105th in the leaderboard after the first round on Thursday, after he fired an opening round score of 4-over par.

Following scores of 67 and 66 in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, he was back in the chase. He was looking for back-to-back major triumphs, having defended his Masters Tournament title last month at the Augusta National Golf Club.

After a par on the first hole, McIlroy birdied the second hole. This early birdie moved him up in the rankings. However, there was not much joy for him as he made 10 straight pars before making a bogey on the 13th hole.

He bounced back immediately with a birdie on the par-3 14th hole. 4 straight pars from holes 15 to 18 saw him end the round with a score of 69 and finish the tournament with a 4-under par score, 5 shots behind eventual winner Aaron Rai.

During the final round, McIlroy got involved in a fierce exchange with a fan. The moment took place at the par-5 16th hole when he was 3 shots off the lead.

McIlroy was trying to find the greens and avoid the bunker through a delicate chip. His shot bounced off the bunker and landed back in the sand.

At this moment, a fan heckled the golfer and threw in “USA” chants at him. The former World No.1 seemingly dropped an expletive reaction before pointing a security guard in the direction of the fan.

McIlroy, who is one of Europe’s top stars, suffered similar heckling during the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black Course in New York. During this biennial showdown between Europe and the USA, several American fans tried to get under his skin with chants against him.

At one point, things got to a major low when a fan hurled a beer at McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll. After Europe’s victory, McIlroy sounded off on the fan behavior. He would later receive an apology email from the PGA CEO.

This is also not the first time a European golfer has heard such chants against them this season. During The Players Championship, Matt Fitzpatrick found himself in this position as he battled against America’s Cameron Young.

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Rory McIlroy rues missed chances in final round of PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy will have to wait a bit for his 7th major title. The 37-year-old finished T7 at the PGA Championship following a 1-under par round on Sunday. Following the event, the golfer rued his missed chances in the final round.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

While speaking with the reporters, the golfer expressed that he dug himself out of the hole that was created in his first round. He later pointed out missing the chance to birdie two par-5 holes and bogeying the 13th hole.

I felt like I played the golf I needed to. I just, there was three holes that I’ll rue, not birdie in the two par fives, and then make a bogey at the drivable par-4 13th. Those three holes are what cost me a chance to win the tournament today.

Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport Northern Ireland

The golfer also had a classy message for Aaron Rai. As he finished his round, Rai was strolling towards the title. McIlroy expressed that there was not one person who was not happy to see him earn his major moment.

You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him.

Rory McIlroy said regarding Aaron Rai

As Rai celebrates his major win, McIlroy will take a break once again. He told the media that his next start would be at the Memorial Tournament in June.

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