Ryder Cup USA captain Steve Stricker begs ‘rowdy’ home crowd not to ‘cross the line’ after targeting Rory McIlroy

US CAPTAIN Steve Stricker has asked American fans not to 'cross the line' as his team bid to regain the Ryder Cup this weekend.

Stricker, 54, expects a 'rowdy' atmosphere at Whistling Straits but doesn't want a repeat of the unsavoury scenes witnessed in 2016.

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Team Europe received a barrage of abuse the last time the Ryder Cup was held on US soil at Hazeltine five years ago.

A spectator was ejected from the course after firing disgraceful personal insults at four-time major champ Rory McIlroy.

As quoted by , Stricker said on the crowd: "They'll be loud. They’ll be pro-US, which we’re hoping for.

"But we’re also hoping they don’t cross the line, which we’ve seen at some other Ryder Cups throughout the years.

“It’s going to be rowdy. It’s going to be loud, especially the first tee, and pro-USA, obviously so we’re looking forward to that.

"We need that. We need that backing. It is our home turf.

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"We were up in Hazeltine not too long ago and that got loud and somewhat crossed the line at times, which we don't want to see."

Home advantage has been pivotal in recent years, with the hosts winning six of the last seven Ryder Cups.

And European captain Padraig Harrington recognises the significant challenge that awaits his team in Wisconsin.

He added: "Clearly the home captain gets a choice in how the golf course is set up.

"And he’s going to do everything he can in that set-up to get it to favour his players. I think it has a big influence.

"Traditionally certainly it would be tough to beat the US on their home style of golf course.

"And we’ve shown it’s pretty darned hard to beat us in Europe if we’re picking one of our courses that’s naturally suited to our games.

"It really is about picking the right venue and also then styling that golf course to suit your players."

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