ROME – Rory McIlroy was made livid by Patrick Cantlay’s caddie after a spat at the 18th green over behaviour which “crossed the line”, team captain Luke Donald said at the Ryder Cup on Saturday.
Cantlay celebrated wildly with his United States teammates after sinking a 30-foot putt under huge pressure, which eventually handed him and Wyndham Clark a 1-up win over Europe’s McIlroy and Matthew Fitzpatrick and cut Europe’s lead to five points overnight.
It was Cantlay’s third consecutive birdie, following which, he then made the motion of his tipping his cap to the crowd, who had been mocking him by waving their hats in the wake of media reports that Cantlay was not wearing a team-issued hat in protest at American players not getting paid to participate in the Ryder Cup.
Donald said McIlroy was brushed off by Joe LaCava, while the four-time Major winner was waiting to take a putt which could have halved the hole and match.
“I was there on 18. I saw it unfold when Patrick made that putt, Joe was waving his hat. He (McIlroy) 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,” the Englishman said.
“It was a little off-putting because he still had to putt. And so Rory got upset, and I understand that... Rory felt like the line was crossed on the 18th green.”
McIlroy then reportedly had a blazing row with another American caddie in the carpark at the Marco Simone course in Rome, having to be pulled away and bundled into a car by Irish teammate Shane Lowry.
Footage captured by NBC showed McIlroy screaming: “This can’t happen. This can’t happen. It’s a (expletive) disgrace.”
He was originally held back by his wife before Lowry stepped in front of him and directed him towards his vehicle.
“Of course, they have their backs. Again, we are a big family this week. We support each other,” added Donald.
McIlroy believes the banter at No. 18 just adds more intrigue to Sunday’s final day of action. He said: “Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so hats off to them. They played a great match, and yeah, I mean, a few scenes there on 18 and just fuel for the fire (for Sunday).”
Meanwhile, Cantlay on Saturday said the Ryder Cup was about “representing our country” after reports that the 31-year-old was staging a protest over players not being paid at the event.
Players often do not wear caps at the Ryder Cup due to a lack of sponsor’s obligations.
Cantlay, who has amassed more than US$42 million (S$57.4 million) in his PGA Tour career, also did not don headgear during the US victory two years ago.
“It’s just about Team USA and representing our country. That’s all I’ve got to say about that (not being paid). The hat doesn’t fit. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits, and didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that,” he said.
Cantlay’s teammate Sam Burns quipped: “I didn’t know it was such a big deal not to wear a hat.”
Added US team captain Zach Johnson: “I would say if there’s anything that deals with money, there are guys that would pay to play in this. So that (report) is extremely inaccurate and arguably irresponsible.” AFP, REUTERS
