Rory McIlroy became angry as he got into his car to leave Marco Simone on Saturday, pointed his finger and appeared to move towards Joe LaCava < p >An emotionally charged Rory McIlroy said Shane Lowry had to restrain him from invading Team USA's dressing room following his clash with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava.
After McIlroy's singles victory on Sunday, he described how that feud, as well as reading the words of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, helped him bounce back.
Team USA's antics on the 18th green on Saturday night lit a fire under the Northern Irishman's feet as he returned to his commanding form and won 3:1 over Sam Burns. “This is the most angry I've felt in a long time,” he said of his Saturday night emotions.
Tears of despair at Whistle Strait two years ago later turned to tears of joy on the green as McIlroy explained how he had read some of Aurelius' words to put himself in the right frame of mind in Rome. “I stood up and read a few words from the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor,” he added. “I am a big follower of Stoicism. If anyone could get inside my head, it was Marcus.”
🗣️ “It fueled me.”
What a tearful Rory McIlroy said about how much it meant to him to win four points at the Ryder Cup in Rome. 💙🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/5GfUmSzGxN
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) October 1, 2023
Earlier on Sunday, it was reported that McIlroy's feud with LaCava had died down after the caddy sent a message with apologies. because of his 18-green antics.
But after the win, McIlroy explained that he had put any potential negotiations with LaCava on hold to focus entirely on securing a win over Burns.
“He contacted us last night but we haven’t met yet,” McIlroy added. . «I'd rather let it end first and then deal with it.»
Saturday's row escalated after wild celebrations in the US on Saturday on the green while McIlroy and his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick still had birdie putts of their own to make. LaCava, Cantlay's caddy but better known as Tiger Woods' longtime assistant, angered McIlroy. There was also speculation that LaCava had stepped on McIlroy's line: i.e. stood between McIlroy's ball and the hole, which is considered poor etiquette.
McIlroy exchanges views with Joe LaCava, Cantlay's caddy, on the second day of the Ryder Cup. Photo: Getty Images/Brendan Moran
Detailing what was going through his head, McIlroy said: “I was actually going to throw my bag and go to the American locker room because I was so angry. But Shane kind of kept me from doing it. And the first American I saw was Bones McKay, and I knew he was close to Joe, so I just let them have their say.»
When asked what irritated him the most, he added: “The fact that on the 17th and 18th greens I'm trying to get the crowd to calm down so I can let Patrick hit his shot. I tried to give Patrick the opportunity to do what he did, and it's great. And then I'm trying to read my putt on No. 18 and he's standing right in my way. So I don't feel like I was given the same opportunity to strike as Patrick. I tried to do the right thing. And that was completely wrong. And this is not the way to play the game. Especially the caddies. Well, caddy, player, whatever. I just thought it was completely disrespectful. This is the most anger I've felt in a long time.»
Against Burns, McIlroy hit his tee shot to 10 feet on the par-three 17th. When Burns on the right flank missed his chip, he conceded a 3-1 European win, leaving Luke Donald's side a point and a half away from lifting the trophy.
Mcllroy then came close. tears when Sky Sports asked him about the controversy: “I needed this to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week,” he added.
“I felt like I used it in his interests and showed a different level of focus and determination, and in a way it gave the whole team a little bit of fire in the belly.
“I just wanted to win another point for Europe. Since Whistling Straits I was so disappointed with my performance there, [so] to come here and get four points for the team means a lot to me.
“It's a great result after Whistling Straits. Our team is incredible. I think this is a young team that will be around for a long time. It's been a great week for me personally, but I need to keep an eye on them and bring them home.»
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