On videos posted on social media, Heather McMahan could be heard joining chants of “f**k you Rory” over a loudspeaker on what was a Saturday of flaring tempers at Bethpage Black.
Former PGA Tour players Rich Beem and Andrew Coltart, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned the appointment of the comedian to the role, the aim of which appeared to be to try and raise the voices of the US crowd.
Rory McIlroy delivered an outstanding performance as Europe closed in on Ryder Cup glory in New York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Her actions were also called out widely on social media, with the PGA later confirming that an apology had been issued and that Ms McMahan would not continue in the role ahead of Sunday’s singles matches, in which McIlroy is set for a bumper showdown with world number one Scottie Scheffler.
A statement read: “Heather has extended an apology to Rory Mcllroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup.”
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In the Saturday afternoon fourballs, McIlroy was again partnered with Shane Lowry, and the pair were targeted by an oiled-up New York crowd from the get-go.
In the Co Down man’s case, it’s been the same story since the first morning as US fans made frequent mentions of his marriage and last year’s US Open “choke” against DeChambeau, while Lowry was constantly insulted over his weight with frequent references to “cabbage”, “potatoes”, and “pigs”.
The heckling got so bad the Offaly man unleashed a powerful “F**k you” and pointed to the heckler when he made a 20-footer for eagle at the fourth to put Europe ahead.
It was a non-stop distraction for McIlroy and after being forced to step off a putt on the sixth, he told the referee: “I won’t putt until they shut up.”
Rory McIlroy was subjected to heckling throughout the second day at the Ryder Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)
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At the 10th, a fan screamed as McIlroy was standing over his tee shot and Lowry had to be held back from wading into the crowd by caddie Darren Reynolds before pointing out the perpetrator to law enforcement.
After the pair won their match to help Europe into a seemingly unassailable 11.5 to 4.5 lead ahead of the Sunday singles, McIlroy was asked about what they had to listen to from the crowd.
He said: “You know, it’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
It followed the morning foursomes, during which McIlroy told the US crowd to “shut the f**k up”.
While lining up his approach shot to the 16th green, fans behind heckled the Grand Slam winner with one heard to shout “Freedom” as McIlroy stood over his ball.
The Holywood star stood back and hit back at the fans, saying: “Guys, shut the f*** up!”
Afterwards, McIlroy said: “I don’t mind them having a go at us, that’s to be expected. But when I’m trying to hit my shot, that’s a tough thing, give us some respect and let us hit shots.”
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At the end of Saturday’s play, the US crowd had been well and truly silenced, with the smaller cohort of travelling European fans serenading their players in an otherwise deserted 18th grandstand.