Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Scribbler
GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy — Ecu celebrity Rory McIlroy needed to be ushered right into a automotive by way of teammate Shane Lowry all over a warm argument within the parking quantity of Marco Simone Golfing Membership on Saturday later McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick misplaced their Ryder Cup fit to Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark at the 18th hollow.
NBC photos confirmed McIlroy screaming at any individual, era caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay used to be status similar by way of. McIlroy shouted: “This can’t happen. This can’t happen. It’s a f—ing disgrace.” Mackay is American participant Justin Thomas’ caddie.
The incident within the parking quantity most probably spilled over from the U.S. crew’s birthday celebration at the 18th inexperienced. A British media record on Saturday prompt that the U.S. crew used to be fractured, and that Cantlay used to be one of the crucial causes as a result of his displeasure with American gamers now not being paid to compete within the Ryder Cup. The record mentioned Cantlay wasn’t dressed in a team-issued hat in protest, which he denied.
Many Ecu lovers mocked Cantlay all over Saturday afternoon’s fit by way of waving their hats at him. Cantlay made birdies on 3 consecutive holes to defeat McIlroy and Fitzpatrick, together with a 43-footer at the 18th hollow to win the fit.
Then Cantlay made the overall putt, he faked to tip a hat to the society. Alternative American gamers, caddies and crew individuals waved their hats to Ecu lovers as neatly.
“Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so hats off to them,” McIlroy mentioned later the fit. “They played a great match, and yeah, I mean, a few scenes there on 18 and just fuel for the fire tomorrow.”
Joe LaCava, who caddies for Cantlay, waved his hat from the fairway. McIlroy used to be getting ready to putt and requested LaCava to exit out of his manner. TV replays confirmed LaCava begin to proceed away, however next flip again and say one thing else to McIlroy.
“Obviously, I was there on 18,” Ecu crew captain Luke Donald mentioned. “I saw it unfold when Patrick made that putt. Joe was waving his hat. Obviously, there was some hat-waving going on throughout the day from the crowd for our players. Talked to Rory. 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.”
Donald mentioned he hadn’t distinguishable video of the incident within the parking quantity.
“We love this event because of the passion, but we want to do it the right way,” Donald mentioned. “Obviously, Rory felt like the line was crossed on the 18th green. Again, I will address it with him when I see him. I wasn’t there personally in the car park, but when I get back I will talk with him.”
LaCava had phrases with Ecu gamers Shane Lowry and Justin Rose at the 18th inexperienced as neatly. Rose and Cantlay will play games each and every alternative within the 3rd singles fit at 5:59 a.m. ET.
Then the fit, Cantlay mentioned he didn’t see what took place at the 18th inexperienced.
“I was too busy letting out all the emotion that built up over the day,” Cantlay mentioned. “I didn’t get a good look at it.”
U.S. crew captain Zach Johnson mentioned all over a information convention that the condition used to be “diffused after the match,” and he used to be advised “it’s good.”
LaCava moved from Tiger Logs’ bag to Cantlay’s in early Would possibly. He spent two decades on Fred {Couples}’ bag and labored with Dustin Johnson for 4 years. Logs rented LaCava in 2011 later splitting with longtime caddie Steve Williams. LaCava helped Logs seize his latter Masters victory in 2019.
