What caused Rory McIlroy bust-up as captain Luke Donald plans talks

30 September 2023 , 20:04

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Rory McIlroy looked furious before being ushered into a car at the end of day two at the Ryder Cup (Image: Peacock)

Luke Donald has confirmed that Rory McIlroy was 'livid' after Patrick Cantlay's caddie celebrated before the Europe star had finished playing.

The incident boiled over on the 18th green before continuing in the car park of Marco Simone Golf Club after an explosive end to day two of the Ryder Cup - where McIlroy had angrily reacted to seeing the Team USA caddies.

McIlroy had to be taken away from the area by team-mate Shane Lowry after launching a verbal attack following his loss to Wyndham Clark and Cantlay in a fourball with Matthew Fitzpatrick.

McIlroy said: "There were a few scenes there on 18 and [it is] just fuel for the fire tomorrow."

Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava, infuriated McIlroy by waving his cap in celebration before the Northern Irishman had a chance to hole a putt that could have earned the Europeans a tie.

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LaCava was also slow to move when asked to get out of the way by McIlroy, who wanted to line up his attempt. LaCava’s antics provoked an angry confrontation between McIlroy and Cantlay’s bagman on the green - with frustrations continuing to boil over.

He was caught on video standing in front of Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay - Justin Thomas’s caddie - angrily pointing at someone, widely believed to be LaCava.

McIlroy had to be ushered away by one of Europe's bagmen

Donald, the Team Europe captain, has stated he will talk to McIlroy once again after he returns to the hotel.

"I was there on 18. I saw it unfold when Patrick made that putt, Joe was waving his hat," Donald said. "[McIlroy] politely asked Joe to move aside. He was in his line of vision. He stood there and didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat, so I think Rory was upset about that.

"It was a little off-putting because he still had to putt. And so Rory got upset, and I understand that. ... Rory felt like the line was crossed on the 18th green."

Team Europe have a commanding five-point lead heading into the final day which will see the singles begin - and need just four wins to secure their first Ryder Cup since 2018.

Charlie Wilson