{"id":294685,"date":"2023-10-01T15:24:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T15:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=294685"},"modified":"2023-10-01T15:24:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T15:24:33","slug":"mcilroy-claims-feud-with-caddie-helped-fuel-him-in-ryder-cup-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/golf\/mcilroy-claims-feud-with-caddie-helped-fuel-him-in-ryder-cup-win\/","title":{"rendered":"McIlroy claims feud with caddie helped 'fuel' him in Ryder Cup win"},"content":{"rendered":"
Rory McIlroy has claimed that his row with\u00a0caddie Joe LaCava ‘lit the fire under our bellies’ after his win for Team Europe in the singles matches on Sunday.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, McIlroy was annoyed that Patrick Cantlay’s caddie LaCava – who has 36 years of caddying experience – initially didn’t move out of the way, instead continuing to wave his cap over his head in celebration of Cantlay’s birdie on the last.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman had reportedly asked LaCava, thought to be 68, ‘politely’ to move out the way, yet the caddie continued to ignore the request for some time.<\/p>\n
Despite the controversy a day prior, McIlroy secured a 4 & 3 victory over USA’s\u00a0Sam Burns and took a moment to reflect on the impact of the saga during the competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Yeah I needed that to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week. I used it to my advantage and came out here with a different level of focus and a different level of determination. I think it gave the whole team – it lit a fire under our bellies a little bit,’ McIlroy explained.<\/p>\n
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Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning his singles match against Sam Burns on Sunday<\/p>\n
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The Norther Irishman painted an emotional figure as he spoke to interviewers afterwards, and reflected on his recent feud with caddie Joe LaCava<\/p>\n
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The Irishman had to pause his interview midway through after getting overcome with emotion<\/p>\n
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The Northern Irishman had argued with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava after he initially did not move out of the golfer’s eyeline<\/p>\n
‘I just wanted to come out and win another point for Europe. I\u2019m… [wells up]. Ever since Whistling Straits i was so disappointed in my performance there and to come here and gets four points for the team, it means a lot for me to get it done.<\/p>\n
‘It\u2019s a great bounce back after what we did at Whistling Straits. It\u2019s a young team and I think it\u2019s a team that\u2019ll be around for a long time and the support we\u2019ve had has been unbelievable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘It\u2019s been a great week for me personally but I need to go and follow the boys in here and get them in the house here.<\/p>\n
‘I\u2019m confident we played the back nine pretty well this week. I\u2019ve full confidence in the boys to get the job done here’.<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman was visibly emotional as he reflected on his win, which puts Team Europe within\u00a01\u00bd points of the win.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aside from the feud with LaCava, it’s been an impressive weak for McIlroy – who has won all four of his matches as Europe put on a dominant display in Rome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The European team were furious with LaCava after he celebrated in front of\u00a0McIlroy as he prepared for a crucial putt to save the final match on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The 68-year-old caddie took of his cap and waved it in the air\u00a0when Cantlay made a decisive putt on 18 in the crucial last four-ball match.<\/p>\n
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McIlroy was overcome with emotion as he pumped his fists in the air after securing victory<\/p>\n
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The Northern Irishman was also quick to console rival Sam Burns after the event<\/p>\n
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McIlroy launched into a livid rant at someone while leaving Marco Simone Saturday\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, LaCava’s actions were regarded as poor sportsmanship as the Northern Irish golfer still had a putt to tie the match.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shane Lowry and Justin Rose were furious with\u00a0LaCava and decided to confront the experienced caddie at the back of the 18th green.<\/p>\n
Tensions then spilled over onto the car park with McIlroy heard shouting \u2018this can\u2019t happen, this can\u2019t happen \u2013 it\u2019s a f*****g disgrace’ at the caddie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a result, a security guard was forced to step in and calm things down before teammate Lowry guided McIlroy to a waiting BMW 4×4.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McIlroy appeared to address the situation on Saturday, saying:\u00a0‘Matt and I played well. Obviously they had a great finish and Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so hats off to them,\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘They played a great match, and… a few scenes there on 18 and just fuel for the fire tomorrow.’<\/p>\n
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The European team were furious with LaCava after he celebrated in front of McIlroy as he prepared for a crucial putt to save the final match on Saturday<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Luke Donald said:\u00a0\u2018I’ll talk with Rory when I get back. I didn’t see the incident (on the car park). I saw the one on 18.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘I think we always — as I said in my speech, we always try and play with passion, play with energy, but play with respect. That will certainly be my message to the players.\u2019<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Zach Johnson defended LaCava. \u2018I saw passion and all of what’s great in the Ryder Cup come out,\u2019 he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018And to my knowledge, based on what I was told, that was diffused after the match, and so I’m told it’s all good.\u2019<\/p>\n