Rory McIlroy calls Ryder Cup fan treatment of daughter ‘horrific’

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Team Europe captain Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy (right) with the trophy, during a press conference after winning the Ryder Cup.

PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON - Rory McIlroy called out the “mob mentality” that led to “horrific” abuse hurled at himself, his wife and his daughter during September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

The World No. 2 golfer from Northern Ireland opened up about his unpleasant experiences with the crowd in New York in a recent appearance on The Overlap podcast.

“In 2016 we played the Ryder Cup in Minnesota, and I thought that was bad. But I compare this year to 2016, and 2016 was nothing compared to some of the stuff we heard,” McIlroy said.

“We knew going to New York that we were going to get a lot of stick, a lot of abuse. For six months right before the competition, everyone was saying it’s going to be hostile.

“I didn’t (think it would be as hostile as it was). Look, I don’t care if people are saying whatever they’re saying to me, even the first tee announcers shouting: ‘F*** you, Rory,’ which is nothing compared to the other stuff we heard.”

As McIlroy, 36, and Team Europe built a massive lead and then held on for a 15-13 victory, the five-time major winner said the heckling crossed the line.

“Erica, my wife, would say she’s a grown woman, she’s strong, she can handle that,” he added.

“But then when it starts to get into your family, I heard stuff about my daughter that