Rory McIlroy reportedly swore at not one but three Team USA caddies as his anger did not subside on day two of the Ryder Cup, even after the Northern Irishman returned to the team hotel.
The Team Europe talisman lost his temper in Marco Simone’s parking lot after Saturday’s fourball session when he shouted angrily at another US caddy, Jim “Bones” MacKay, before being pushed into a BMW 4×4 by teammate Shane Lowry was dragged.
McIlroy’s outburst came after he became angry when LaCava, Cantlay’s caddie, stood in his line of sight and turned his cap as he tried to make a game-saving putt on the 18th.
The 34-year-old’s frustration was directed at MacKay when he claimed the Justin Thomas bagman was “just the first American I saw after I came out of the locker room.”
McIlroy admitted that Tiger Woods’ caddy was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and texted him the next morning to apologize.
Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup parking madness reportedly continued at the team hotel
McIlroy argued with LaCava on Saturday after LaCava took off his hat and waved it in celebration
McIlroy also releases Ricky Elliot, an Irishman who loops for Brooks Koepka
However, it appears that Bones wasn’t the only American caddy to get a sympathetic ear from the European leader, as he also went after Ricky Elliot, an Irishman looping for Brooks Koepka, according to Team USA vice-captain Fred Couples .
“He yelled at Bones,” Couples said via Golf.com, “which is disrespectful considering his wife was standing a foot away from him saying words that shouldn’t be said.” Well, I’m up too Rory’s side – because I love Rory McIlroy to death – but when you’re angry and you want to fight, you’re going to say things. Is that disrespectful?’
Couples added that Elliott told him that McIlroy “came at me in the middle of the lobby of the hotel.”
Fans at a raucous Marco Simone had spent the round taunting Cantlay by waving their hats in the air after an earlier report claimed he had not worn a hat in protest at not being paid to take part in the tournament – something he has strongly denied , suggesting it was more because he wanted to avoid tan lines ahead of his wedding on Monday.
When Cantlay sank a stunning 30-footer to bring the US close to victory in their match with Wyndham Clark against McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, he responded by mimicking taking off a hat – during Bag-Man LaCava joyfully turned his hat into McIlroy’s line of sight.
“I asked him what was said,” Couples said on his radio show. “He said Rory looked at him and said, ‘Mooove.’ And he made the Ooo last a little longer.
“And Joe replied, ‘Relax, Rory.’
LaCava also exchanged heated words with Lowry, who was on the green side.
Couples was among members of the U.S. team, including Thomas, Jordan Spieht, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa, who waved their caps from the edge of the green to celebrate Cantlay’s putt – all while there was an argument between LaCava and McIlroy came.
Team Europe members were outraged by LaCava’s celebrations and lack of etiquette
Shane Lowry was seen chatting to the legendary caddy on the green
The broadcast said McIlroy had a problem with LaCava celebrating near his line
The Americans waved their hats – a reference to European fans’ mockery of the hat controversy
But the US acting captain insisted he saw nothing disrespectful in their celebrations.
“I want someone to tell me that everything that happened is disrespectful,” Couples said. “I did not see it. Patrick yelled, something he doesn’t do often, and tipped his fake hat. We were all at the front of the green. Nobody moved. We just took off our hats and made little circles with our hats.
“It’s the last game of the day.” We’re completely overwhelmed. Now we have a chance of a halving. But what, did someone do a Justin Leonard and run across the green? Patrick didn’t do it.’
He added: “Rory, God bless Rory, because when he makes a putt in the Ryder Cup he screams and shouts ‘Vamos’ and ‘Let’s go’ and stuff.” That’s what you should do. Joe LaCava stood [on the green]. I don’t think he moved a meter.’
In fact, in footage of the incident, LaCava can be seen moving more than a meter and getting within five or six feet of McIlroy’s ball as the European judged his putt.
“People think he was silencing Rory when he made that hand gesture,” Couples continued. “Little Harry Diamond, who we all love too, caddies for Rory, then he got involved. So Joe said, “I don’t have time for you.”
“Then Joe turned to get out of the way. And…Shane Lowry and [European assistant captain] Thomas Björn yelled a few things at him, which is fine. I have no problem with Shane Lowry or Thomas Björn – they protect the number one player on their team. But nobody did anything wrong. [LaCava] I didn’t come [McIlroy]. He wasn’t above him. In college football, there wouldn’t be a 15-yard penalty for taunting. … He said he was 6 feet away. Was Joe right? Probably not. [But] Did anyone disrespect the European team?
Couples then said as he hastily left the 18th green he collided with Lowry and Europe’s deputy captain Thomas Bjorn.
“Shane Lowry and Thomas Björn both put their hands on my shoulder and said, ‘This is bullshit. This is so wrong. What just happened?”
Couples said as he left the 18th green he collided with Lowry and Thomas Bjorn (left).
“I said, ‘Look, guys, I’m not here to argue about this. We won a point. I didn’t see anything terrible.”
‘And then [Lowry] said, “Well, I was at Whistling Straits,” referring to the 2021 U.S. Ryder Cup course where the Americans beat the Europeans by 10 points.
“As I walked along,” Couples said, “I just looked back and said, “What does this have to do with anything?”
After the Europeans secured a 16.5-11.5 victory following a thrilling singles showdown on Sunday, McIlroy addressed the defeat from the previous day.
“We felt it was disrespectful. And it wasn’t just disrespectful to Fitz and me. It was disrespectful to the entire team.’
He added: “I understand that we get jokes when we go to the States and play, and the same thing happens here. “It’s just that. This is how the Ryder Cup works. And you have to have thick skin. That’s just how it is.’