Rory McIlroy details Tiger Woods messages in aftermath of Ryder Cup bust-up
Rory McIlroy has revealed he received a number of missed calls and messages from Tiger Woods, following a bust-up at September's Ryder Cup with two Team USA caddies.
One of the caddies in question was Joe LaCava, who worked with Woods for some time. LaCava was at the centre of the drama with McIlroy in Italy, whilst working alongside the Northern Irishman's American opponent Patrick Cantlay in the final fourball match on day two at Marco Simone.
Cantlay had found himself embroiled in controversy during the three-day clash, after a Sky Sports report claimed he had led a fall-out within the U.S. camp, and was refusing to wear in cap in protest over not getting paid.
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The former FedEx Cup champion defeated McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick alongside Wyndham Clark on the Saturday thanks to a crucial birdie putt at 18, giving the U.S. a glimmer of hope heading into the Sunday singles. In an ironic nod to the since rubbished claims, Cantlay's American teammates, gathered around the 18th green for the crucial match, removed their caps and waved them in the air in celebration.
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One man who joined in was Cantlay's caddie LaCava, but he overstepped the mark when directing them towards McIlroy, who still had a putt for the half. The four-time major winner would go onto miss, and clearly outraged, called out the caddie's antics as they made their way off the green.
Still seeing red, McIlroy then reignited the clash when confronting Jim 'Bones' Mackay - the caddie of Justin Thomas - in the Marco Simone car park afterwards. After being bustled into a car by Shane Lowry and whisked back to the team hotel, McIlroy has now admitted Woods' name lit up on his phone, as well as LaCava's.
Rory McIlroy clashed with LaCava on the 18th green (Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)"I went back to my room and there was a text from Joe LaCava: ‘Hey Rory, would love to meet up in the morning to clear the air.’ But I was tired and didn’t get back to him," he told the Irish Independent. “There was also three texts and two missed calls from Tiger, because they’re obviously still close. I sent him a quick message: ‘It will be fine … long day … just want to go to bed.’”
In the interview McIlroy did not hold back in criticising LaCava's ally Cantlay, admitting their relationship prior to the Ryder Cup drama was 'average at best'. The four-time major winner also described the American star as a 'd***' when discussing his feud on the 18th green.
The morning after McIlroy regathered his composure and secured his fourth point of the week, defeating Sam Burns in the singles to help the Europeans secure a 16.5-11.5 victory over their Team USA rivals. On the back of the victory, McIlroy explained that the clash the night before proved to be a perfect motivator to regain the Ryder Cup.
Asked if he regretted the fall out, he told Sky Sports : "Jeez, no, not at all. I felt like what happened in the car park galvanised the team and it benefited us... The incident happened. I didn't want to meet anyone on the Sunday morning because I wanted what happened to fuel me and my focus was on making sure Europe won the Ryder Cup. And then we will sort all the other stuff out after. And it is all fine. We are all friends."
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