Days After Max Homa’s Bitter Fan Encounter, Rory McIlroy Issues a Strong Warning to Gambling Hecklers: ‘Shut Up and Don’t Be a Part of the Show’

It’s one thing to bet on a sporting event and expect to go home with the pot, but golf gamblers have taken their game too far recently. In a press conference, ahead of the Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy answered a question about the increasing impact gambling is causing on the sport. 

McIlroy himself did not take it lightly. He boldly spoke about his views on the matter and clearly stated his perspective. He emphasized how important it is to police the betting activities so that they don’t end up ruining the sport. Let’s look at what triggered this discussion and how it went further. 

Rory McIlroy issues a subtle warning to spectators over unnecessary heckling incidents

In the press conference, one question to McIlroy involved the heckling incident with Max Homa and Jon Rahm’s response to it. A fan, whose friend had apparently bet on Homa’s shot, rudely interrupted Homa during his third round in the BMW Championship. Rahm spoke about this later and urged the PGA Tour management to look into the matter.

McIlroy said that at the board and the PAC levels, they have been talking about this for a few years. However, since the laws are not very clear on the matter, they cannot take substantial action. He clearly iterated his opinion on the matter. “We’re all for people out here having a good time and being able to put something on an outcome, but as long as they don’t feel like they can come here and influence that outcome.” 

The four time major winner further explained that irrespective of betting, fans need to not get involved in the game. He claimed that if he were a fan, he would just try to enjoy watching the best players in the world play their game and have fun with it.

McIlroy mentioned that his biggest pet peeve is when someone interrupts him during a putt and offers insights about it. He expressed what would go on his mind if someone did that to him. “Like, you know, to me, I just think, like, shut up and don’t be a part of the show, just enjoy watching the golf, right?” 

Read more: Days After Max Homa’s Horrible Fan Encounter, Jon Rahm Instructs PGA Tour to Take a Bold Move

The surprising part of that heckling incident with Max Homa is that it happened over a mere $3 bet!  

What’s with the number 17?

Max Homa, when he encountered the heckling incident on the course during the BMW Championship, was playing on his 17th hole in the second round of the tournament. A spectator called him out by yelling, “Pull it,” as he was just about to swing for his shot. 

On a quick segue, when protesters raided two different golf tournaments earlier, they also targeted the 17th greens. The eerie coincidence makes one wonder what is the significance of the mighty 17.

Getting back to the incident, Homa missed the shot and got quite upset about the incident. It turned out that the heckler’s friend had apparently bet $3 on Homa making that shot. More than the betting, Homa was upset by the intentional interruption. He also joked about how all of this was for just $3. 

Do you think betting and gambling ruins the sport? Let us know in the comments below. 

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