Disgusted golf fans react to what one patron shouted to Rory McIlroy at The Masters on day three

Photo by Leckie Wong/Augusta National/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy really struggled during day three at The Masters and ended up relinquishing his six-shot lead.

McIlroy obviously still has a great chance of winning The Masters for the second time, but he will definitely be questioning himself now.

The 29-year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland, won in dramatic style at Augusta National 12 months ago, after giving up a big lead on the back nine on Sunday.

So McIlroy certainly has the experience to deal with anything that comes his way during the final round of The Masters.

Cameron Young caught Rory McIlroy at The Masters on day three after the American fired a scintillating 65 at Augusta National.

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

The Northern Irishman ended up shooting a round of 73 – one of only three players inside the top 40 who failed to break par.

McIlroy insists he will play with more freedom on Sunday at The Masters, but he will obviously be feeling the pressure, having already lost the biggest 36 hole lead ever established at Augusta.

Golf fans react to what patron shouted to Rory McIlroy at The Masters

Aside from McIlroy’s poor golf on Saturday, there were also some unpleasant scenes in the galleries.

The Masters is rich in history and tradition and the fact that Augusta National has maintained some of its antiquated rules and regulations is a huge part of the allure of the place.

However, golf fans witnessed something incredibly unusual happen on Saturday at The Masters which was really not in keeping with Augusta’s traditions.

As McIlroy hit his drive on the 17th hole at Augusta National on Saturday, one of the patrons shouted out: ‘Give me my son back’ – a reference from Mel Gibson’s movie, Ransom.

It was a real shock to hear that kind of behavior at Augusta National and whoever it was who shouted that out will undoubtedly be dealt with accordingly.

There have been claims that he was immediately escorted off the premises and banned from Augusta National for life.

Numerous golf fans took to social media platform X after McIlroy’s round and reacted angrily to the ill-advised shout from the patron on the 17th hole.

Photo by Joel Marklund/Augusta National/Getty Images

“That is disgusting behavior, especially for Augusta National,“ one fan wrote on X.

While many more echoed similar sentiments.

One fan stated: “This is just totally unacceptable, what an idiot,“ while another said: “Ban whoever said that for life.“

The comments kept coming…

Golf fans want Rory McIlroy’s Masters heckler banned for life

“Get this guy off the premises immediately,“ one fan demanded while another suggested how unusual it was to hear at Augusta National, “I thought this didn’t happen at Augusta?“

“Completely out of order, should never happen at The Masters. Makes me sad,“ one golf fan exclaimed.

While another shared a no-nonsense response, stating: “How has this clown been allowed in through the gates?“

Another said, “I cannot believe this behavior has been allowed to seep into The Masters, tighter controls needed.“

It’s fair to say that the majority of golf fans were shocked to see that kind of behavior from one of the patrons at Augusta National.

It was incredibly unusual and something that we haven’t seen before during the tournament.

The patron who shouted after Rory McIlroy’s drive on the 17th hole will undoubtedly never be allowed back to The Masters.

And hopefully that will deter anyone else from doing it in the future.