Rory McIlroy had to be held back after a Ryder Cup row spilled into the car park.
The livid Northern Irishman is shown in footage arguing with caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after the end of Saturday’s play at Marco Simone in Rome.
McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick had earlier been beaten in the afternoon fourballs after Patrick Cantlay’s bomb on the last gave him and partner Wyndham Clark a 1up victory.
European skipper Luke Donald explained Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava celebrated his charge’s putt by waving his hat before McIlroy had a putt of his own to try and tie the hole.
“When Patrick made that putt, Joe was waving his hat,” Donald said.
“Rory politely asked Joe to move aside from his line of vision. He stood there and didn’t move for awhile and continued to wave the hat.”
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There was also audible booing in the crowd following the American’s putt. Mackay was the long-time caddie of Phil Mickelson and he now caddies for Justin Thomas.
After events spilled over into the car park, and a heated McIlroy argued his case, Lowry stepped in to pull him away.
NBC has since reported LaCava reached out to McIlroy and Team Europe last night and met the five-time major champion on Sunday morning to clear the air.
Prior to this, Cantlay was quizzed after it was reported the US team room was “fractured”. Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir posted to X to say Cantlay has shown his frustration by not wearing a cap.
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“The cap doesn’t fit. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits and it didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that,” Cantlay said.
“Not at all (a protest),” he added. “This is the first time I’ve heard of it when I got off the green. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.”
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“You all don’t quit,” Harman also said. “We love each other. This has been the most fun hanging out with these boys. Whatever happens tomorrow, I love you boys.”
Asked about the scenes in the car park, USA skipper Zach Johnson said: “I’m aware of something happening. I don’t know what transpired specifically. I do know that Joe was not a part of that, so I was told.”
America endured a tough morning at Marco Simone as they were beaten 3-1 in the foursomes session.
But Johnson’s side turned the tables on the home team with a 3-1 session victory in the fourballs, capped by Cantlay and Clark’s late win.
Max Homa and Brian Harman won both of their matches on day two, beating Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard this afternoon to give America momentum heading into the singles.
A Rory McIlroy-caddie bust-up! Could there now be a Rory McIlroy-Patrick Cantlay rivalry? Post to us on X!
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