Rory McIlroy had to be physically restrained by Shane Lowry in the carpark of the Marco Simone Golf Course after an apparent issue with Patrick Cantlay's caddy following their match on Day 2 of the Ryder Cup in Rome.
Cantlay made the winning putt, leading his caddy - Tiger Woods' former bagman Joe LaCava - to celebrate by raising his cap to the crowd several times in close proximity to McIlroy.
A furious Rory McIlroy confronted a Team USA caddie in the car park, after he was spotted waving his cap in McIlroy's face when lining up his final putt on 18… 😳 pic.twitter.com/N0SaDg7AsS
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2023
The Holywood man and partner Fitzpatrick were both yet to putt to tie the hole and McIlroy appeared to briefly step away from his putt while LaCava went through his routine.
After the day's play, TV pictures showed an animated McIlroy arguing forcibly with someone out of picture before being ushered into his waiting car by countryman Lowry, playing the role of peacemaker.
Well known former caddy and current TV personality, James 'Bones' MacKay, was in the vicinity of the incident but LaCava, out of shot, appeared to have been the subject of McIlroy's ire.
McIlroy's agent has confirmed that the flashpoint in the carpark was directly related to the incident on the 18th green.
The four-time Major champion said: "Obviously they had a great finish and Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so hats off to them.
"They played a great match, yes, a few scenes there on 18 and just fuel for the fire tomorrow."
Cantlay was unrepentant when asked about the scene. "He is the best," the American said of LaCava. "That is all there is to say."
LaCava and McIlroy were seen in heated conversation while McIlroy was lining up his putt on the final green.
"I talked to Rory," European captain Luke Donald said. "He 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. The Ryder Cup is always passionate. We've seen that many times over the past.
"I will address all 12 of my guys tomorrow. I'll give them the right messaging and they will be ready to play."
Earlier reports had suggested Cantlay had been the subject of a rift in the American camp and was refusing the wear a team cap in protest of the lack of compensation for Ryder Cup players. This is believed to have led to LaCava's overzealous antics on the final green.
Cantlay and his team captain, Zach Johnson, have both denied the rumours with Johnson declaring them "asinine".
Johnson aded: "What I saw on 18 was a phenomenal putt and a celebration by some of our guys. I saw passion and all of what's great in the Ryder Cup come out.
"And to my knowledge, based on what I was told, that was diffused after the match, and so I'm told it's all good.
I'm aware of something happening (in the car park) I don't know what transpired specifically.
"I spoke with Joe after and he said he talked to Rory and it was all good. That's all I know."
When quizzed about his choice of headwear - or lack thereof, Cantlay claimed: "It just doesn't fit! It is as simple as that. I didn't wear it in Whistling Straits. That is all it is."
Sunday singles
10.35am (Irish time) Jon Rahm v Scottie Scheffler
10.47am Viktor Hovland v Collin Morikawa
10.59am Justin Rose v Patrick Cantlay
11.11am Rory McIlroy v Sam Burns
11.23am Matt Fitzpatrick v Max Homa
11.35am Tyrrell Hatton v Brian Harman
11.47am Ludvig Aberg v Brooks Koepka
11.59am Sepp Straka v Justin Thomas
12.11pm Nicolai Hojgaard v Xander Schauffele
12.23pm Shane Lowry v Jordan Spieth
12.35pm Tommy Fleetwood v Rickie Fowler
12.47pm Robert MacIntyre v Wyndham Clark
Follow all the action from the final-day Singles of the Ryder Cup with our Live Updates.
