Rory McIlroy had some issues with the fans during the 2025 Ryder Cup, and some of them involved his wife Erica Stoll.
Europe defeated the U.S. 15-13 at the Ryder Cup, which was played at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. The host team’s fans at the Ryder Cup often do everything they can to get into the heads of opposing golfers, and this year was no exception. McIlroy is arguably Europe’s best player, so the gallery was hardest on him.
Some members of the gallery took things too far, however. One example of that was seen on Saturday, when McIlroy’s wife Erica was hit with a drink can.
McIlroy was understandably upset as tournament staff tried to identify the fan responsible.
Here’s the full scene as Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica got hit with a beer (glanced off her hat) on Saturday afternoon.
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) September 28, 2025
Rory and Lowry had just won on 18 and he was coming back to 17 to cheer on the groups behind — and celebrate with Euro fans.
Looked like someone hit the drink out… pic.twitter.com/vdG4mAny1s
It was unclear if a fan threw the can or if one fan deliberately knocked the drink out of another’s hand so that it propelled in the direction of McIlroy and his wife. After Europe finished off the victory, McIlroy was asked about the hostility he and Erica dealt with. He said family “should be off limits” for fans but was not.
“Erica’s fine. She is a very, very strong woman,” McIlroy said. “She handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we’re gonna have a good time celebrating tonight.”
Justin Rose then chimed in and said he had no idea Erica had a drink thrown at her and credited her for not bringing the incident to the attention of players. Shane Lowry added that he was shocked by the “amount of abuse” Stoll dealt with.
My question to Rory McIlroy about the abuse faced by his wife, Erica, at the #RyderCup this week. Powerful responses from McIlroy, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry. pic.twitter.com/GT4j04Iu0K
— Sam Frost (@frosty920) September 29, 2025
The incident with McIlroy’s wife occurred not long after McIlroy became so irate with the American fans that he delivered a profane message on live TV.
The U.S. was hoping for revenge after Europe also dominated the 2023 Ryder Cup. Captain Keegan Bradley’s team came up well short, with the final score making the tournament look a lot closer than it actually was. The U.S. trailed 12-5 heading into the singles matches on Sunday, though there were plenty of complaints about a rarely utilized rule that came into play.
McIlroy and Stoll, a former PGA employee, first met in 2012 and got married in 2017. They share a daughter Poppy, who was born in 2020. McIlroy and Stoll went through a rough patch in their marriage last year and it was revealed that McIlroy had filed for divorce. A month later, the five-time major champion announced that he and Stoll had resolved their differences.
