Ryder Cup Throwback: An American Fan Drained a Putt Which Rory McIlroy Couldn’t and Won $100

The 43rd Ryder Cup is just a couple of days away where Team USA and Team Europe will lock horns against each other at the Whistling Straits. Meanwhile, Team Europe is the defending champion and has been overpowering the opposition for the last couple of years. Hence, the Team U.S. will be hopeful of getting the trophy back. 

Meanwhile, Team USA had a spectacular one-sided victory in the 2016 Ryder Cup. However, there was an unusual incident in the 2016 Ryder Cup practice round with Rory McIlroy. Let us find out what exactly happened. 

Fan sinks a putt which Rory McIlroy couldn’t at the 2016 Ryder Cup

Usually, professional golf players don’t give much importance to what hecklers say or do. However, at the 2016 Ryder Cup practice round on Thursday, something unusual happened. Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan were repeatedly unable to drain a tough putt on the sixth green. 

Meanwhile, Henrik Stenson noticed a fan boosting up his own short game in the crowd. Hence, Stenson called the heckler, David Johnson, from the gallery onto the green. Furthermore, Henrik said to David he would have a chance to drain the putt that Rory and Andy couldn’t with Justin Rose’s $100 next to the ball. 

However, David Johnson was under pressure, as there were thousands of people who were looking at him. But after cracking that, the putter was too short, Johnson gave himself a pep talk before making contact. He whispered, “Home soil, right?” And then drained the putt. 

Meanwhile, it was a fun moment for everyone involved, including Rory, who was a great sport about it all. However, PGA.com Facebook commentator John Veasey summed it up best. 

“These are the things that we should be reading about, not all the other drama that really makes no difference, he said. Let’s have sportsmanship and interact with the fans and be supportive to both teams. This is why golf has always been an individual sport, and all of us that play the game have a responsibility to uphold that. I hope these matches will exemplify that if not for the fans, then do it for Mr. Palmer. What an event. What a moment.”

Meanwhile, the 2021 Ryder Cup is all set to begin from September 24 to 26 at the Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.  

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