Rory McIlroy aims X-rated insult while revealing talks with Tiger Woods

Rory McIlroy has opened up on his row with Joe LaCava and shed light on talks with Tiger Woods

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 13/11/2023

- 10:29

The golf star was left enraged at the recent Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy has branded fellow golfer Patrick Cantlay a 'd**k' and revealed he talked with Tiger Woods after controversy at the Ryder Cup last month.

The Northern-Irishman was left enraged by the behaviour of Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava.


McIlroy exploded at LaCava in the car park after he felt the caddie had tried to put him off his game.

He was then bundled into a car by team-mate Shane Lowry to prevent the situation from escalating.

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Golf news: Rory McIlroy clashed with Joe LaCava at the Ryder Cup last month

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McIlroy got the last laugh, too, with Europe obliterating USA to secure bragging rights and take home the trophy.

And he has now renewed his feud with Cantlay by calling the American a 'd**k' - and also described their relationship as 'average'.

"Here's what angered me," he told the Irish Independent.

"My relationship with Cantlay is average at best.

"We don't have a ton in common and see the world quite differently.

"And they're trying to defuse the situation, but I start having a go at them.

"Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger, and now he's caddying for that d**k he's turned into a … I still wasn't in a great headspace."

McIlroy also revealed he messaged Woods after the incident at the Ryder Cup, adding: "I sent him a quick message.

"It will be fine… long day… just want to go to bed."

Speaking at the time of his argument with LaCava, meanwhile, McIlroy revealed he apologised to Jim 'Bones' Mackay after he was caught up in the exchange.

He said: "He was the first American I saw outside the locker room, I texted and apologised.

"I was angry. I didn't agree with what happened on 18.

"I let it fuel the fire today. It focused me and I went out and got the point. Joe wasn't there.

"We talked about it as a team, we felt it was disrespectful, to the whole team, we get the banter when we go to the States and play.

"It's the way the Ryder Cup goes, you have to have thick skin. We've texted.

"Everything will be fine. It's a point of contention, it still hurts. But time's a healer.

"I just wanted to win another point for Europe.

"Ever since Whistling Straits I was so disappointed in my performance there, so to come here and get four points for the team means a lot to me.

"It's a great bounce-back after Whistling Straits.

"The team we have is incredible. It's a young team that I think will be around for a long time."

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Golf news: Rory McIlroy exchanged messages with Tiger Woods after Ryder Cup controversy

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McIlroy has since won the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai.

He won that on Sunday at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and has now set his sights on Colin Montgomerie's record after securing his fifth European order of merit title.

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