Patrick Cantlay reveals what he told Rory McIlroy after furious Ryder Cup row
Patrick Cantlay has opened up after Team Europe beat America to win the Ryder Cup on Sunday
PA
Patrick Cantlay has revealed he congratulated Rory McIlroy despite the Ryder Cup caddie row over the weekend.
The Northern Irishman was livid on Saturday and confronted caddie Joe LaCava - believing the American was trying to distract him.
LaCava had been joyously celebrating a successful shot for America but lingered on the green for too long, much to McIlroy's dismay.
The Brit couldn't contain his anger and the incident even spilled over into the car park.
EUROPE IS ON FIRE 🏆🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/eiASuCaQ78
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023
LaCava was caddie for Cantlay throughout the competition, with Europe winning 16.5 to 11.5 to claim the prestigious prize.
And Cantlay has now revealed he put the argument aside and graciously congratulated his opponent for Team Europe's success.
“I was just saying congratulations, he played fantastic this week," he said.
“I didn’t see the incident that happened on the green with Rory and Joe. I was wrapped up in a totally different head space.
“It was a crazy 24 hours. Last night I was just trying to give the guys a little bit of momentum, and fortunately, Wyndham Clark and I were able to close that match out and try to set a new tone going into today.
“But it was a steep climb.”
Cantlay was the villain of this year's Ruder Cup.
He refused to wear a cap amid claims it's because he's not being paid to play, with fans in attendance in Italy booing and jeering him.
There have also been suggestions that, because Cantlay is getting married on Monday, he didn't want to risk getting a tan line.
When quizzed on his decision, he shrugged off the question and said: “Well, I am getting married tomorrow, yes. I’m very excited about that."
As for McIlroy, meanwhile, the Team Europe star revealed he'd wanted to storm the American locker room after his row with LaCava.
In the end, however, he was prevented from doing so.
"I don’t feel like I was afforded the same opportunity to make a putt as Patrick was," he explained.
"I thought it was completely disrespectful. It is the angriest I have been in a long time.”
He added: "It was red mist more than anything else.
"I was actually about to drop my bag and go into the American locker room because I was so angry but Shane [Lowry] kind of held me back from doing that.
"The first American I saw was [Jim] Bones Mackay and I know he is close to Joe so I let him have a mouthful.”
McIlroy did admit, though, that he apologised to Mackay via text and that the angry incident spurred him on to victory.
"He was the first American I saw outside the locker room, I texted and apologised," he added.
"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.
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Rory McIlroy clashed with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava
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"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."
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