European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald expressed concern over Robert MacIntyre’s heated exchange with fans at the BMW Championship, warning that such behavior could backfire at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
MacIntyre, who finished second at Caves Valley, engaged in a verbal back-and-forth with heckling spectators, notably shushing and gesturing at a fan after a birdie putt on the 14th hole during Saturday’s round.
Speaking ahead of the Betfred British Masters, Donald addressed the incident, stressing the need for composure in the face of the notoriously rowdy New York crowds expected at Bethpage from September 26-28.
“I’m going to have obviously all those conversations once the team is set,” said Donald. “And I’ve had conversations with certain players already to just kind of mentally get ready for that cauldron, that atmosphere.”
MacIntyre, now World No. 8 and a lock for Team Europe after his strong season, was unbeaten in his 2023 Ryder Cup debut, earning 2.5 points. However, his fiery response at the BMW Championship, where he told a fan, “You give me stick, I’ll give it back,” has prompted Donald to emphasize discipline.
With Europe aiming to retain the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil, Donald plans to coach his team, including MacIntyre, on handling hostile galleries to maintain focus and avoid energizing the opposition.
