ROR EMOTION AS FAMILY TARGETED

RORY McILROY insisted verbal abuse of family members should be “off limits” as he paid an emotional tribute to his wife Erica Stoll after Europe's Ryder Cup victory.

- FROM NEIL MCLEMAN

And the Masters champion said he will make clear to Irish fans at Adare Manor in 2027 that “what happened here this week is not acceptable”.

American Stoll (above) was repeatedly heckled and then hit by a plastic beer cup while watching her husband during the shameful Saturday afternoon at Bethpage Black.

Extra police and security had to be deployed, along with police dogs. “| wish they had let the dogs off the leashes,” said the Northern Irishman, only half-jokingly.

The world No.2 was a constant target of American fans during the weekend.

It often happened during his backswing or as he lined up putts. He still won 3.5 points in Europe's dramatic away win, before running out of energy in his singles defeat by Scottie Scheffler. But Mcliroy, whose father Gerry (above) was also in the crowd, was most annoyed by abuse aimed at his family.