Rory McIlroy calls for booze limits at golf tournaments

Whilst competing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the weekend, Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy called for alcohol limits at golf tournaments after being heckled during the third round by a drunk fan.

Image: Twitter @McIlroyRory

McIlroy, who romped to victory on Sunday (18 March) with a final-round 64 (eight under par) to finish on -18, was disrupted during his third round of play by a rowdy fan.

Speaking to CBS Sports, McIlroy said: “There was one guy out there who kept yelling my wife’s name. I was going to go over and have a chat with him.

“I think it’s gotten a little much, to be honest. I think that they need to limit alcohol sales on the course, or they need to do something because every week, it seems like guys are complaining about it more and more.

“I know that people want to come and enjoy themselves, and I’m all for that, but it’s when the comments get personal and people get a little bit rowdy it can get a little much,” he added.

McIlroy also stated that fans appear to be drinking stronger drinks on the course, moving from beer to spirits.

“It used to be you bring beers on the course but not liquor. And now it seems like everyone’s walking around with a cocktail. So I don’t know if it’s just go back to people walking around with beers in their hand, that’s fine, but I don’t know,” he said.

“Golf is different than a football game, and there’s etiquette involved, and you don’t want people to be put off from bringing their kids when people are shouting stuff out. You want people to enjoy themselves, have a good day”.

McIlroy is not the only golfer to complain about crowd behaviour at tournaments in recent months. In February’s Honda Classic, US golfer Justin Thomas had a spectator removed from the course after he attempted to disrupt his shot.

In the same month, fellow US golfer Rickie Fowler was also unimpressed after being heckled during his round at the Phoenix Open. Tiger Woods, who is in the midst of an historic comeback, also missed a putt after a spectator called out mid-swing at the Farmer’s Insurance Open in January.