‘Probably the angriest I’ve ever been in my career’ – Rory McIlroy elaborates on clash with Joe LaCava that led to Ryder Cup’s most heated moment

Rory McIlroy has revealed that a moment of intense anger during the Ryder Cup in Rome played a surprising role in motivating Europe toward victory, ultimately helping them reclaim the coveted trophy.

"The angriest I have ever been in my career."

'Probably the angriest I've ever been in my career.' 😡

Rory McIlroy tells @alibruceball how he bounced back from that clash with Joe LaCava 👀#BBCGolf #RyderCup #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/ZZ35Qq4LLx

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 1, 2023

McIlroy, who delivered an outstanding performance, expressed his confidence that Europe will successfully defend the cup at Bethpage in New York in two years" time.

The Northern Irishman"s emotional response was evident as he fought back tears of joy following Europe"s triumph in Rome, where he contributed a career-best performance.

Rory McIlroy serenaded by European fans on the first tee. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/3cNlsb0bzQ

— BenSmith (@bensmithgolf) October 1, 2023

McIlroy secured a significant singles victory over Sam Burns, marking the first time he had won four matches in a single Ryder Cup. Europe, led by captain Luke Donald, handed the United States a seventh consecutive away defeat in the prestigious golf event.

Luke Donald, who had played on four winning Ryder Cup teams and was once ranked as the world number one, described this victory as the most significant achievement of his career.

Huge congrats to top points-scorer Rory McIlroy and the rest of the European team on winning back the Ryder Cup, making us very proud 👏👏⛳️ pic.twitter.com/bc93h6PNfF

— Brian Kingston (@BrianKingston) October 1, 2023

"This is the best. This is why the Ryder Cup is so special to me and these guys, because of these moments," Donald said.

McIlroy"s memorable moment of anger came during a match on Saturday evening when he was displeased with the celebrations of Joe LaCava, the caddie for Patrick Cantlay. McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick narrowly lost to Cantlay and Wyndham Clark. His frustration continued off the course in the car park, where he engaged in a heated exchange with American caddie Jim “Bones" Mackay. Justin Rose playfully referred to McIlroy as “Rocky McIlroy."

This angle of the Joe LaCava-Rory McIlroy incident though 😳

pic.twitter.com/TGERTGVAK3

— Ålex Perry (@byAlexPerry) October 1, 2023

Elaborating on the incident, McIlroy explained:

“On the 17th green and the 18th green, I am telling the crowd to quieten down to let Patrick hit his putts. I was trying to afford Patrick the opportunity to do what he did, which is great. And then I am trying to read my putt on 18 and he [LaCava] is standing directly in my way."

He expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that they were not in line with the spirit of the game. McIlroy described it as “the angriest I have been in a long time."

"I don’t feel like I was afforded the same opportunity to make a putt as Patrick was. I was trying to do the right thing and that was definitely the wrong thing to do. That is not the way this game should be played. Not by a player, caddie, anybody. I thought it was completely disrespectful. It is the angriest I have been in a long time."

In the car park, McIlroy"s anger was palpable, but he was calmed by his teammate and friend Shane Lowry, who prevented him from further confrontations. McIlroy reflected on the incident, stating, “It was red mist more than anything else."

A furious Rory McIlroy confronted a Team USA caddie in the car park, after he was spotted waving his cap in McIlroy's face when lining up his final putt on 18 😳pic.twitter.com/Ha4r5hDsGi

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 30, 2023

"I was actually about to drop my bag and go into the American locker room because I was so angry but Shane kind of held me back from doing that. The first American I saw was Bones Mackay and I know he is close to Joe so I let him have a mouthful."

He subsequently texted an apology to Mackay and exchanged messages with LaCava, although they have not yet discussed the incident in person. McIlroy acknowledged that it remains a point of contention but expressed a belief that time will help heal the wounds.

Another angle of the incident yesterday involving Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and the caddie of Patrick Cantlay#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/JF8KRWaJRN

— SportsDraft (@SportsDraft_) October 1, 2023

To channel his emotions in a positive direction, McIlroy sought inspiration from the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. He shared"

“I read a few quotes from the great Marcus Aurelius so that put me in the right frame of mind. I also had some nice words of encouragement from my wife, and I was ready to go. I am a big follower of stoicism, so if anyone was going to get in my head, it was going to be Marcus." In light of the location, Rome, he found it fitting to revisit the thoughts of the former emperor of Rome to regain his composure on the way to the course.

"I just thought as a former emperor of Rome and seeing that we are in Rome, it would be a good time to revisit some of his thoughts. So I revisited them on the way to the course today."