Rory McIlroy won four points from his five matches as Europe claimed a 16.5-11.5 victory over Team USA; McIlroy had been involved in a dispute with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava after the Friday fourballs
By Ali Stafford in Rome
Rory McIlroy has set his sights on a historic Ryder Cup win on American soil in 2025 after being reduced to tears by Europe’s home victory over Team USA in Rome.
McIlroy was seen crying after his singles victory in Europe’s record-breaking 19-9 loss at Whistling Straits in 2021, although was emotional for a different reason this time around as Luke Donald’s side ran out 16.5-11.5 winners at Marco Simone GC.
The four-time major champion won four of his five matches to register his career-best Ryder Cup points tally from seven appearances for Team Europe, with McIlroy pleased by the manner of his team’s impressive victory.
A tearful Rory McIlroy spoke of how much winning four points during the Ryder Cup in Rome meant to him as he closed out a 3&1 win over Sam Burns.
“I am so proud to be part of this team,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “Incredible day, incredible week with all these guys.
“We were hurting after Whistling Straits and the players on that team wanted to redeem ourselves and prove to the world that is not who we are. We delivered a great performance.”
Rory McIlroy headed into Sunday Singles fired up and puts on a impressive performance, winning 3&1 against Sam Burns.
McIlroy later added in the victory press conference: “‘I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen: I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup.
“And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”
How McIlroy was fuelled to Rome success
McIlroy won his first three matches, partnering Tommy Fleetwood to victory in the foursomes either side of Friday’s win alongside Matt Fitzpatrick in the fourballs, with his only defeat coming when he lost the final fourball on Saturday evening.
Rory McIlroy reflects on Team Europe’s journey to victory at the Ryder Cup and how much the win means to him.
The former world No 1 was involved in a heated exchange with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava and the argument continued into the car park, with Team Europe disappointed by the American actions.
“We talked about it as a team last night,” McIlroy added. “We felt like it was disrespectful, and it wasn’t just disrespectful to Fitz [Matt Fitzpatrick] and I. It was disrespectful to the whole team.
“I get that we get the banter when we go over to the States and play, and you know, the same happens here. It’s just the way it is. It the way the Ryder Cup goes. You have to have thick skin.”
McIlroy said he had conversations with LaCava and Justin Thomas’ caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay, who was involved in the car park incident, with the Northern Irishman beating Sam Burns 3&1 in the Sunday singles before sharing a hug with Cantlay in the trophy presentations.
“He [Bones] was the first American I saw after I got out of the locker room so he was the one that took the brunt of it,” McIlroy explained. “He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I text Bones this morning and apologised for that.
Jordan Spieth complained about a photographer disturbing his swing after he hit his approach on the fifth hole.
“I was hot coming out of that. I was pretty angry. I didn’t agree with what happened on 18, but I think I let it fuel the fire and it focused me and I was able to go out there and get my point. It was directed at Joe [LaCava] but said at Bones.
“But Joe wasn’t there. We [McIlroy and LaCava] haven’t seen each other face-to-face, but we’ve text, and everything will be fine. But it’s a point of contention and it still hurts, but time is a great healer and we’ll all move on.”
Where did it go wrong for USA at Ryder Cup?
The USA’s 30-year wait for a Ryder Cup triumph on European soil continues as Johnson’s side found themselves on the backfoot from the off.
Whereas each member of the European team teed it up at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier this month, nine of the American twelvesome had not tasted any competitive golf since the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta in late August.
Only Justin Thomas and Max Homa – the latter of whom ended up USA’s top points scorer in Rome with 3.5 out of five – had played on the PGA Tour in the last month, while Brooks Koepka featured on the LIV Golf circuit a week before the Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy explains what happened during the car park altercation and reveals that he’s texted Team USA caddie Joe LaCava.
Eyebrows were raised when Johnson announced his wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup with Justin Thomas given a gig despite failing to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs, missing the cut in three majors (Masters, US Open, Open Championship) and finishing tied for 65th in the other.
Thomas picked up 1.5 points in Italy, the joint-highest return among Johnson’s six picks alongside Koepka, with Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns and Spieth securing a solitary point and Rickie Fowler absolutely zilch, although the latter was said to be battling illness.
Among those overlooked by Johnson was Lucas Glover, with the 43-year-old’s back-to-back victories at the Wyndham Championship and FedEx St Jude Championship in August not enough to earn him a call-up. LIV trio Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Talor Gooch also missed out.
Team USA captain Zach Johnson gives his reaction after his side lost the Ryder Cup to Team Europe.
Ryder Cup bust-up: What happened between McIlroy and Cantlay’s caddie?
Saturday evening saw the Ryder Cup descend into chaos after a controversial finish to the final fourballs session, but what led to Team Europe and Team USA being involved in such a heated exchange?
Europe were six points ahead of the USA when the final match of the session reached the 18th green at Marco Simone GC, where Patrick Cantlay – who had been mocked all day for his decision to not wear a cap – holed a long-range birdie to win the point for Team USA.
The closing birdie sparked wild celebrations from the American players around the green, while Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava was also involved and appeared to annoy McIlroy, initially by encroaching on the Northern Irishman’s space as he lined up his own putt and then by waving his cap
New footage has emerged of Rory McIlroy’s argument with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie on the 18th green as Joe LaCava appeared to anger McIlroy by celebrating too closely to him while he was lining up a putt.
McIlroy and several European players were involved in a conversation with LaCava after the former world No 1 missed his birdie effort, which would have extended their lead going into the final day, with the arguments continuing to escalate and finishing in the car park.
Shane Lowry had to usher McIlroy away from outside the clubhouse and into a courtesy car, having seen his team-mate also point angrily and shout near Justin Thomas’ caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, with the unsavoury scenes concluding an extraordinary Saturday in Rome.
A furious Rory McIlroy confronted Team USA caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay in the carpark post round after an incident on the 18th hole.
The next Ryder Cup takes place at Bethpage Black from September 26-28, 2025, while the next home edition will be at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. Stream the Ryder Cup, PGA Tour, DP World Tour and more for £21 a month for six months with NOW.