Rory McIlroy: PGA Tour needs to "limit alcohol sales on the course"

Rory McIlroy silenced his critics with a three-stroke victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, and now he wants to silence abusive fans out on the course.

McIlroy, who clinched his 14th PGA Tour title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, revealed how one fan in particular repeatedly yelled his wife's name (Erica) during the third round.

The 28-year-old is now asking the PGA Tour to consider curbing alcohol sales in a bid to stop abusive fan behaviour constantly happening on the course - as has been the case in recent weeks. 

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“I was going to go over and have a chat with him,” said McIlroy, of the abusive fan.

“I think it’s gotten a little much, to be honest. I think they need to limit the alcohol sales on the course, or they need to do something, because every week it seems like guys are complaining about it more and more.

“I know that people want to come and enjoy themselves, and I’m all for that, but sometimes when the comments get personal and people get a little bit rowdy, it can get a little much.”

McIlroy's words come off the back of Justin Thomas removing a fan late in the final round of the Honda Classic after the man was overheard shouting for Thomas' ball to go in the bunker. A week before that, a spectactor was caught shouting out during Tiger Woods' putting stroke.

The Northern Irishman believes the issue is part of a larger problem, as more events try to replicate the success of the Phoenix Open, which has one of the liveliest atmospheres on Tour.

“It’s great for that tournament, it’s great for us, but golf is different than a football game, and there’s etiquette involved and you don’t want people to be put off from bringing their kids when people are shouting stuff out,” said McIlroy.

“You want people to enjoy themselves, have a good day.”

As for a solution, McIlroy isn’t quite sure.

“It used to be you bring beers onto the course or buy beers, but not liquor,” he said.

“And now it seems like everyone’s walking around with a cocktail. I don’t know whether (the solution) is to go back to letting people walking around with beers in their hands. That’s fine, but I don’t know.”