McIlroy heated in parking lot after incident with caddie on 18th green
The Ryder Cup drama didn't end on the course Saturday, as Rory McIlroy let tensions carry over into the parking lot after an incident that occurred on the 18th green.
Patrick Cantlay drilled a 43-foot birdie putt on the final green that sparked raucous reactions from the American team and his caddie, Joe LaCava. Much of the celebration centered around a report from Jamie Weir of Sky Sports about Cantlay refusing to wear a hat all week to protest the lack of compensation for players at the Ryder Cup.
In numerous instances, European fans have waved hats when Cantlay has walked by. After Cantlay's clutch putt dropped, LaCava and the American team members waved their hats in celebration.
McIlroy had words with LaCava on the green as the four-time major winner felt the caddie was in the line for his upcoming birdie putt to tie the match. The 34-year-old and his partner, Matthew Fitzpatrick, missed their putts and lost the match 1-up to the Americans.
Lead up to the scene on 18. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ONoXqQ9o37
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 30, 2023
Surreal photos of Joe LaCava confronted by the European team. Never seen anything quite like it on a golf course pic.twitter.com/Rr9t5skZvV
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) September 30, 2023
It initially appeared McIlroy and LaCava smoothed things over during the post-match handshake. However, the scene from the parking lot suggests otherwise. The event's broadcast caught McIlroy yelling at someone past Justin Thomas' caddie, Jim 'Bones' McKay, and is eventually held back by golfer Shane Lowry.
Rory McIlroy and Jim "Bones" Mackay had a heated exchange while departing Marco Simone today.@RexHoggardGC has more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HClJDwwk6m
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 30, 2023
European captain Luke Donald confirmed that McIlroy was still angry at LaCava for remaining in the way for an extended period.
Luke Donald confirms Rory anger was directed at Joe LaCava: “Rory politely asked Joe to move aside, he was in his line. He stood there & didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat…So I think Rory was upset about that.”
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGolfbet) September 30, 2023
Unfortunately, the singles match the golfing world hoped for won't happen, as McIlroy and Cantlay missed each other by one slot for Sunday's action.