'I watched American golf fans abusing Rory McIlroy at Ryder Cup – his response was epic'

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Gianfranco Zola has praised Rory McIlroy ’s “gentlemanly” response to Ryder Cup fans after witnessing their abuse firsthand. Team Europe members, especially McIlroy, were repeatedly goaded and targeted with insults over the course of the three-day event by US fans at Bethpage Black.

The appalling conduct of some of the home fans became a major talking point as they overstepped the mark on several occasions. Despite their efforts to unsettle the Europeans, they ultimately failed as McIlroy and Co won 15-13 to retain the trophy.

Some of the brutal treatment McIlroy received included being heckled while standing over the ball, booing, a vulgar chant from Ryder Cup emcee Heather McMahan which led to her resignation , and a homophobic slur being aimed at the Northern Irishman.

On top of that, McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, was also relentlessly targeted by the raucous spectators with cruel chants, before being struck by a cup of beer at the end of day two , which reduced her to tears.

McIlroy initially reacted by sarcastically blowing kisses to the crowd. But by the fifth hole on day two, his patience had worn thin, stepping back and refusing to putt until a section of American fans quietened down.

He was overheard stating: "I'm not going to putt until they shut up.” Moments before winning the match with a stunning approach shot into the 16th, McIlroy once again stepped off the shot to tell a group of spectators to "shut the f*** up ,” and later played a role in getting some fans ejected.

Despite being affected emotionally and psychologically, he largely carried himself with class in the face of such unprecedented behaviour and held his nerve when it mattered. He finished the weekend with a 4-1-0 record, his best result at a Ryder Cup.

That mental resilience was lauded by Italian football legend Zola , whose friendship with Team Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari saw him accept an unlikely role as a designated buggy driver at the biennial tournament in New York. Zola, 59, therefore spent plenty of time with the players and their partners, meaning he saw for himself what McIlory had to go through.

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The former Chelsea star was asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport if the crowd went too far with their football stadium-like chants and insults, to which he replied: "First of all, it must be said that the American players behaved in a gentlemanly manner; I didn't see anything inappropriate.

"Of course, the fans went too far. Maybe that's what they're used to in New York, but golf is different. Some people came to Bethpage too hyped up and then found the wrong way to vent their frustrations with insults and aggression directed mainly at McIlroy, the strongest player. They were afraid."

When it was noted by the interviewer that McIlroy responded brilliantly, Zola added: "Because he's the greatest of them all, he was fantastic, he responded like a gentleman and a champion, as did Shane Lowry, who was playing with him.

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“They were extraordinary. They played brilliantly and at the same time put those fans who had gone too far in their place."

McIlroy condemned the vile abuse during the post-victory press conference, saying: "Look, I don't think we should ever accept that in golf.

"I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.

Legends everywhere you look - and we celebrate them in this special edition as Europe and the USA prepare to do battle again in New York.

The great Tom Watson once said: “The Ryder Cup creates idols. It creates legends. It creates memories that last.” He was spot on.