One of the most unforgettable moments of the 2023 Ryder Cup occurred off the golf course when Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava’s disagreement on the putting green overflowed into the parking lot after the round.
This angle of the Joe LaCava-Rory McIlroy incident though ?
— Alex Perry (@byAlexPerry) October 1, 2023
Ryder Cup Drama.
Rory McIlroy, after losing 1-up, engaged in a confrontation in the parking lot with caddie Joe LaCava following a dispute over sportsmanship on the 18th green.pic.twitter.com/01lX5OvI0p
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 30, 2023
The altercation arose from LaCava’s perceived excessive celebration after his golfer, Patrick Cantlay, sank a long putt to secure a victory over McIlroy’s European team.
Time mends all wounds, and it seems that the conflict between McIlroy and LaCava has subsided. During an interview with BBC, McIlroy mentioned that they are now “friends”.
“Things happen in the heat of the moment. Tensions were high. Joe LaCava came into the European team room on Sunday night and we had a drink and a conversation.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Joe over the years when he caddied for Tiger, and that wasn’t going to change.
“For me, the incident happened, and deliberately, I didn’t want to interact with anyone on Sunday morning because I wanted the events to motivate me for that day.
“My entire focus was to ensure Europe’s triumph in the Ryder Cup, and then we would resolve all other matters afterwards.
“And everything is fine now. We are all friends.”
Rory led the European team to victory and emerged as the highest scorer in the competition, accumulating four points for the week.
Share your thoughts on this story via GolfWRX on X, below.
Rory McIlroy reveals surprising twist in tale to Ryder Cup bust up with Joe LaCava https://t.co/cc4w20aS7v pic.twitter.com/MGte73JSJE
— GolfWRX (@GolfWRX) October 23, 2023
More from the 19th Hole
- LIKE80
- LEGIT12
- WOW2
- LOL6
- IDHT2
- FLOP6
- OB2
- SHANK63
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.