Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll were targeted by American fans at the Ryder Cup (PA Wire)

Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll have received an apology from the PGA of America over the abuse they received from spectators at the Ryde…

‘New level. New devil.’

Hypocritical from the Northern Irishman?

Hypocritical from the Northern Irishman?

‘You just understand it and you accept it and you get on with it.’

She encouraged fans to yell ‘f*** you, Rory’ at Bethpage Black.

Tempers flared at Bethpage Black.

McIlroy called out the abusive fan immediately.

Former golfer Paige Spiranac has hit out at a ‘stupid’ and ‘crazy’ rule that hindered USA’s hopes of a stunning comeback against Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Europe held a 11.5-4.5 overnight lead going into the final day of singles matches at New York’s Bethpage Black.

But the score changed to 12-5 in Europe’s favour after Viktor Hovland was ruled out of the final day through a neck injury.

The Norwegian star pulled out of Saturday’s fourballs at late notice and did not recover in time to play in the final singles match on Sunday.

Under tournament rules, Hovland’s match against American Harris English was declared a half point each, leaving Europe needing just two points to retain the Ryder Cup.

But former professional golfer and social media personality Spiranac believes it was ‘crazy’ that Hovland was awarded half a point for pulling out and believes the ‘dumb’ rule should be changed.

‘It’s a bummer Hovland is hurt and can’t play but it should be an automatic point to the other team,’ the 32-year-old American said. ‘Getting a half point is crazy!

‘The rule was dumb 30 years ago. The rule is dumb now. The rule is dumb regardless of which teams it helps. The rule is dumb and should be changed.

‘Other way around I would’ve said the exact same thing. Either sub someone else in or no one gets points. It’s a stupid rule.’

Spiranac was not alone in voicing her disapproval at the rule, with USA captain Keegan Bradley insisting it ‘has to change’ after his team’s defeat in New York.

‘I have a few ideas but I’m not going to tell you right now,’ Bradley said. ‘It’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room.

‘Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.’

But victorious European skipper Luke Donald said: ‘The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time.

‘We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.

‘I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.

‘He was really very stiff this morning and tried to go through his warm-up but just couldn’t play. He was devastated and gutted.’

USA threatened to produce the greatest ever Ryder Cup comeback in the singles, winning six of the first nine games to rattle Europe.

But Ireland’s Shane Lowry birdied the 18th to earn the half a point needed for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup.

Europe rallied as USA’s fate was sealed and three successive ties at the end of the day saw the visitors finish 15-13 winners.

In beating the Americans in New York, Donald became only the second European captain after Tony Jacklin to win back-to-back Ryder Cups.

Europe’s victorious players joined in with fan chants for Donald to do ‘two more years’ after lifting the trophy.

‘A lot of people questioned why I would do it a second time after doing it so well in Rome,’ Donald said. ‘But home and away is a different challenge and I’ve ticked both those boxes.

‘Whether I do it again is something I’ll have to think about. I’m very humbled and grateful that some of the players and the fans were chanting two years again.

‘I’ll never rule [doing it a third time] out. Everything I do I sit down and think about it in preparation.

‘What is the cost, what are we doing here, how are we going to be successful, what are the challenges. I’m not going to rush into a decision like this today.

‘I just want to enjoy this one for now.’

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