Justin Thomas On Rory McIlroy Controversy: Gave Them A Boost

After the Ryder Cup conflict erupted, an angry Rory McIlroy had to be hustled into a car.

Shane Lowry restrained Rory McIlroy following a tense finish to day two at Marco Simone GC, where Team Europe leads Team USA 10.5-5.5. Watch the Sunday singles live from 9am on Sky Sports Golf, before the first tee at 10.35 am.

Justin Thomas On Rory McIlroy Controversy: Gave Them A Boost

When Patrick Cantlay’s caddy Joe LaCava rejoiced in front of the Northern Irishman as he prepared for a vital putt to salvage the final match of a chaotic day, Europe’s star and his teammates were enraged.

McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick were one up with two holes to play at Marco Simone GC when Patrick Cantlay followed a penultimate-hole birdie with a 45-footer at the par-five last to grab a stunning one-up victory for him and Wyndham Clark.

Cantlay’s birdie spurred wild celebrations from the American squad, who waved their USA-branded baseball hats in the air in response to comments from European supporters over the past FedExCup winner’s lack of headgear.

And, as emotions rose in the parking lot, an infuriated McIlroy could be heard saying, ‘This can’t happen, this can’t happen – it’s a f*****g disgrace,’ prompting a security guard to intervene before teammate Shane Lowry walked him to a waiting BMW 4×4.

The American Ryder Cup team was in such bad shape, according to Justin Thomas, that Rory McIlroy’s tirade against Patrick Cantlay’s caddy provided them with an unanticipated lift.

Regarding the incident at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club at the renowned event in September, the Irishman lost it at Joe LaCava and recently referred to Cantlay as a “d–k”.

At this week’s first Netflix Cup, Thomas, 30, said to The Post, “It gave us a little spark, selfishly, for the team.”

He said, “We were just happy to have something positive happen,” in reference to the team’s poor play.

Europe defeated the United States 16.5-11.5 to win the Ryder Cup, holding on despite the extra spark.

Details were revealed in a long interview that was published on Sunday with Paul Kimmage of the Irish Independent. In a similar manner, Kimmage has previously spoken with McIlroy. In the most recent piece, he also had an interview with Shane Lowry, who was also significantly involved in the altercations that marred the Ryder Cup last month.

McIlroy shared his perspective on the eighteenth green in the conversation with Kimmage.

He also disclosed the initial source of his anger.

“Here’s what angered me: my relationship with Cantlay is average at best. We don’t have a ton in common and see the world quite differently,” he explained.

“And they’re trying to defuse the situation, but I start having a go at them,” McIlroy said of the parking lot row, in which he had to be restrained after crossing paths with several Americans, including Mackay.

“‘Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger [Woods], and now he’s caddying for that d–k he’s turned into a … I still wasn’t in a great headspace.”

Woods even made an effort to defuse some emotions.

“I sent him a quick message,” McIlroy added. “‘It will be fine … long day … just want to go to bed.”

 

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