Golf star Rory McIlroy has once again found himself at the center of controversy after a fiery outburst directed at fans during a post-round interview at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman, visibly frustrated, lashed out at spectators following waves of boos and taunts over his earlier controversial remark about fellow golfer Tommy Fleetwood, which many fans deemed “disrespectful” and “arrogant.”
When asked about the ongoing criticism, McIlroy snapped, shouting, “You know what? Some of these people have been an absolute pain in my ass!” — a remark that instantly sent social media into a frenzy.
Clips of the exchange quickly went viral, with fans expressing both outrage and disappointment. One user wrote, “This isn’t the Rory we admired. He’s lost touch with the fans who made him.” Another commented, “First Fleetwood, now the fans? He’s digging his own hole.”
According to reports, McIlroy’s frustration stemmed from days of online backlash after he made a joking but poorly received comment implying that Fleetwood was “lucky to still be relevant” in the current golf scene. The quip, initially brushed off as banter, soon spiraled into a heated debate among golf fans and analysts alike.
McIlroy’s management team has since released a brief statement urging calm, stating, “Rory is a passionate competitor who speaks his mind. He regrets if his comment came across as disrespectful.”
Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood has reportedly declined to comment, though sources close to him suggest he was “taken aback” by McIlroy’s initial remark.
As the fallout continues, McIlroy’s relationship with fans appears more strained than ever — and the golfing world watches closely to see whether the fiery champion will double down or finally make amends.
Social media reaction remains divided, with #RoryMeltdown trending across X (formerly Twitter).
One thing’s certain: Rory McIlroy’s temper has once again become the hott
est topic in golf.