Rory McIlroy wants to shift the narrative about | Golf News

Rory McIlroy has expressed frustration that Europe’s gorgeous Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black has been overshadowed by the disgraceful treatment he and other gamers endured from hostile followers in New York.

McIlroy and his spouse, Erica, have been particularly singled out by a small group of unruly spectators on Long Island. The four-time major winner shrugged off jeers while lining up photographs, but the pair confronted vicious personal assaults about their non-public lives.

McIlroy slammed the habits of those concerned and raised issues about the match’s future if such appalling fan conduct goes unchecked. A source close to the McIlroys revealed they continue to be “angry and hurt” by their expertise at Bethpage.

The world No. 2 tees off this week at the DP World India Championship on Thursday, expressing his frustration that the fortnight following Europe’s triumph has been dominated by crowd controversy quite than celebrating Luke Donald’s squad’s sensible efficiency in their 15-13 success.

“It’s been two weeks, and I’ve been following the sort of narrative coming out of the Ryder Cup just like everyone else,” McIlroy said. “But unfortunately, I think it takes away from what we focused on, which is what an incredible performance it was by the European team.”

“Obviously, as I’m playing my matches, I’m focused on trying to win my point. You know, you see that the other guys are winning their matches or they are doing well but you don’t realize how well they are playing.”

“So over the last two weeks, being able to watch the highlights and just see, especially those first two days, in the foursomes and the fourballs how good the European team were. The Americans would hit it close; we hit it closer. The Americans hole a putt and we hole a putt on top of it and it happened every single time.

“The unlucky factor is people aren’t remembering that and they’re remembering the week for the flawed cause.

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“I would like to shift the narrative and focus on how good the European Team were and how proud I was to be part of that team to win an away Ryder Cup.”

McIlroy is making his debut in India, and he is keen to make his mark at Delhi Golf Club. He said: “It’s great to be here, first and foremost. India is a country that I’ve wanted to travel to for a long time.

“Yeah, it is a very vibrant place. I have never had a likelihood to see a lot of the nation or a lot of the metropolis, but the welcome has been unimaginable and everybody that I’ve met has been fantastic and welcoming. So I actually respect that.

“I’m excited to play a golf tournament in a place that I’ve never played before. Eighteen-odd years into a professional career and to still be able to do things for the first time is something that excites me.

“I’ve watched tournaments on this golf course over the years on TV, and you recognize, the course actually lives up to its fame.

“So excited to get out there and take it on this week. I can’t wait to play in front of a lot of Indian fans that will hopefully be out there over the next few days.”