Rory McIlroy has disclosed that he received multiple missed calls and texts from Tiger Woods following a heated altercation with two Team USA caddies at the Ryder Cup in September. The incident occurred after McIlroy clashed with Joe LaCava, Woods' former caddie, on the 18th green at Marco Simone in Italy.
LaCava, caddying for Patrick Cantlay, was involved in a confrontation with McIlroy during the final fourball match on day two. Cantlay had been at the centre of controversy after a Sky Sports report claimed he led a fallout within the US team over payment issues, a claim later dismissed. After Cantlay sank a crucial birdie putt, his teammates removed their caps and waved them in celebration, with LaCava directing the gesture towards McIlroy, who still had a putt to halve the match. McIlroy missed and confronted LaCava as they left the green.
Later, McIlroy reignited the clash with Jim 'Bones' Mackay, Justin Thomas' caddie, in the car park before being bundled into a car by Shane Lowry. Back at the hotel, McIlroy saw messages from LaCava and Woods. "There was a text from Joe LaCava: ‘Hey Rory, would love to meet up in the morning to clear the air.’ But I was tired and didn’t get back to him," McIlroy told the Irish Independent. "There was also three texts and two missed calls from Tiger... I sent him a quick message: ‘It will be fine … long day … just want to go to bed.’"
McIlroy criticised Cantlay, describing their relationship as 'average at best' and calling him a 'd***' during the feud. However, he said the clash galvanised the European team, who went on to win 16.5-11.5. "I felt like what happened in the car park galvanised the team and it benefited us," he told Sky Sports. "I didn't want to meet anyone on the Sunday morning because I wanted what happened to fuel me... We are all friends."
