Sparks fly between Rory McIlroy and a caddy

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Perhaps it will be one of the most controversial episodes of the 2023 Ryder Cup: let's talk about the final stages of match 4 of today's fourballs, the one in which Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick had to give in to Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark, winners by 1 up in this case.

The protagonists of the event were the Northern Irishman and Cantlay's caddy, Joe LaCava.

Rory McIlory, Ryder Cup

The facts: initially, on the 18th, while McIlroy tries to adjust himself to understand how to putt for the birdie that would give par both on the hole and in the match, LaCava essentially gets in the way, in the midst of the celebration for Cantlay's successful shot , a very long putt for birdie that turned a half point into a full point.

Not only that: he refuses to move for several seconds, forcing McIlroy to make him very clear to leave. It didn't end there, because when leaving the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club the Northern Irishman didn't hold back at all, essentially telling him everything from afar.

Such is his fury that Shane Lowry, who remained in the area, has to go and stop him. A scene of rare anger, that of the man who continues his pursuit of number 1 in the world rankings. It must be said that Lowry himself had not told them, on the green, to LaCava, in what is certainly one of the most controversial moments of the latest editions of Ryder (and there was no shortage of special scenes, so to speak).

The two, perhaps we should say fortunately, will not meet tomorrow in singles matches (McIlroy will be against Sam Burns, Cantlay against Justin Rose). Of course, the fact remains that the Californian glossed over both this topic, in the press room, and all the others relating to an alleged rift in the team linked to his alleged request to be paid for the Ryder, as happens in the Presidents Cup (the USA-Rest of the World challenge which is not Europe).

Indeed, since he was also criticized for not having worn the USA hat for the whole week, a fact underlined by the waving of hats by the public, his teammates, on the 18th, cheered with him by taking off their hats.

THIS is what Rory McIlroy is throwing a tantrum about?

What a petulant child.

pic.twitter.com/MwTbmLPkC2 — LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) September 30, 2023