Report – Rory McIlroy, Joe LaCava Clear Air After Ryder Cup Spit

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy — European star Rory McIlroy and American caddy Joe LaCava reportedly met Sunday at the Ryder Cup to clear the air, a day after a disagreement on the 18th green spilled into a parking lot at Marco Simone Golf Club.

According to a report by NBC Sports, LaGava, who caddies for Patrick Cantlay, texted someone on McIlroy’s team Saturday night.

„Love you guys, I have nothing but respect,” LaGava wrote in the text, according to the report.

McIlroy and LaCava then met before Sunday’s singles matches, according to NBC Sports.

McIlroy was upset as LaGava stood on his putting line and didn’t move. LaCava was waving his hat as he celebrated Cantlay’s 43-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. Contley had three straight birdies to beat McIlroy and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick 1 up in the last four-ball (best ball) contest.

TV cameras later captured Ireland’s Shane Lowry pushing McIlroy into a car as he yelled at someone in the parking lot. Caddy Jim „Bones” McKay was standing nearby. McIlroy exclaimed: „It’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen. It’s a shame.” McKay is the caddy for American player Justin Thomas.

A British media report on Saturday said there had been a breakdown in the American team and Cantlay was one of the reasons why American players were not paid to compete in the Ryder Cup. The report said Cantlay did not wear a team-issued hat in protest, which he denied.

Several European fans waved their caps at Cantlay during the match on Saturday afternoon. After Cantlay made the final putt, he pretended to tip a hat to the crowd. Other American players, caddies and team members waved their hats to the European fans as well.

„Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so kudos to them,” McIlroy said after the match. „They played a great match, yes, I mean, a few shots in the 18th and that will be fuel for the fire tomorrow.”

McIlroy was playing Sam Burns at fourth singles on Sunday.