Rory McIlroy on Saturday lost his match at the Ryder Cup, then he lost his cool.
In scenes sure to stoke tensions ahead of yesterday’s singles, McIlroy accused Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, of waving his hat in his line of vision ahead of the European star’s crucial putt on the 18th green in the final fourballs match.
That incident prompted another angry exchange involving McIlroy as he left the Marco Simone club. McIlroy was seen to be visibly furious outside the clubhouse as Jim “Bones” Mackay, the caddie for Justin Thomas, attempted to intervene.
Photo: Reuters
McIlroy was ushered into a waiting car by European teammate Shane Lowry, but only after plenty of shouting and finger-pointing. It wasn’t immediately clear who McIlroy was aiming his anger toward, but US captain Zach Johnson said that LaCava “was not a part of that.”
The images were soon all over social media and would no doubt be part of the pre-match team talks before the singles. The Europeans lead 10.5-5.5 and need four more points to reclaim the trophy they relinquished at Whistling Straits two years ago.
“Just fuel for the fire tomorrow,” McIlroy said.
LaCava — like others in the US team — had removed his hat in a playful gesture after Cantlay holed a 45-foot birdie putt in near-darkness on No. 18.
European captain Luke Donald said McIlroy “politely asked Joe to move aside,” as McIlroy still had a putt for birdie to tie the match, which he wound up missing.
“He [LaCava] stood there and didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat, so I think Rory was upset about that,” Donald said.
“From what Rory told me, he did ask Joe to move,” he added. “He took a long time to move. It was a little off-putting because he still had to putt.”
For Johnson, the matter was “defused” after the match — a take which does not tally with McIlroy’s conduct outside the clubhouse.
“I’m told it’s all good,” Johnson said.
Donald said he would be speaking to McIlroy later.
“Obviously Rory felt like the line was crossed on the 18th green,” Donald said.
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