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Ryder Cup 2025: Rory McIlroy gestures at crowd during spicy afternoon match at Bethpage

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After a surprisingly mild morning foursomes session at Bethpage Black, things have gotten a bit spicier during the afternoon fourball session, particularly in the Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry vs. Patrick Cantlay/Sam Burns match.

With things all tied through five holes, McIlroy came alive as he so often does in this event, making back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh holes to give he and Lowry a 2-up lead. Each one produced a gutteral scream from the reigning Masters champ in an attempt to match the energy of the Long Island crowd.

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After the U.S. side got one back at No. 10, Lowry pitched in with a birdie of his own at the 11th, regaining he and McIlroy’s 2-up lead. As the duo made their way off the 11th green, McIlroy appeard to gesture at the crowd, a gesture the internet believes was a flipping of the bird.

You be the judge:

That certainly doesn’t look like a thumbs up, does it?

If McIlroy did toss somebody the middle finger, we’re guessing it was warranted. And probably welcomed by whoever it was. Just a healthy N.Y.-style back and forth.

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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com