After another successful day for Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup, the day has ended mired in controversy after Shane Lowry and Justin Rose found themselves in a confrontation with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe Lacava on the 18th green, minutes before Rory McIlroy was pulled back into his car following a separate heated altercation.
Cantlay himself has had his fair share of controversy today after European fans spent the best part of 18 holes mocking him following reports that the American was refusing to wear his cap in protest against not being paid for his services in Rome.
In a somewhat ironic twist, Cantlay's caddie and former caddie to Tiger Woods Joe Lacava then found himself in a shout-off with Shane Lowry and Justin Rose on the 18th green after reportedly waving his cap in Rory McIlroy's face while he was setting up his match-deciding putt.
READ HERE: Caddie 'Reaches Out' To Rory McIlroy As New Footage Surfaces Of 'Hatgate'
READ HERE: Rory McIlroy Broke Down In Tears During Incredibly Emotional Ryder Cup Interview
Here's the video. LaCava told Steve Sands Rory didn't have a problem with it, but Lowry was chirping him. pic.twitter.com/yHwTlXnZOb
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) September 30, 2023
Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick found themselves walking down the 18th fairway tied with Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark before Cantlay sank an exceptional putt to force McIlroy and Fitzpatrick into match-deciding putts.
However, Joe Lacava reportedly started walking towards McIlroy waving his cap as he was lining up his putt, stepping on his line in the process - a cardinal sin in the world of golf.
La Cava's actions obviously left Shane Lowry and Justin Rose infuriated, with the duo running to the defence of their teammate confronting La Cava there and then on the 18th green. Sky Sports reported that Lowry and Lacava exchanged expletives on the 18th green.
You can see McIlroy and Lacava getting into it here as the caddie waved his cap.
Live From just showed this angle of LaCava on the 18th green in Rory’s kitchen as he prepared for his birdie putt. Definitely right in Rory’s way. pic.twitter.com/NcBAILHBcJ
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) September 30, 2023
Sportsfile's Brendan Moran captured the tension between McIlroy and Lacava on the 18th.
30 September 2023; Rory McIlroy of Europe speaks to Joe LaCava, caddie for Patrick Cantlay of USA, after their match during the afternoon fourball matches on day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
While LaCava claims that Rory was unbothered by the issues, the pictures emerging after the round presented a very different picture.
Ugly conclusion on 18. I was there but it wasn’t easy to decipher what was happening. It seems that Europeans, particularly Rory McIlroy, were unimpressed with exuberant celebrations from Patrick Cantlay’s caddie with the hole still live. This from the BBC. Love the Lowry line. pic.twitter.com/lwf9pfqqys
— Nick Metcalfe (@Nick_Metcalfe) September 30, 2023
Meanwhile the BBC on-course reporter described Lowry as a 'nightclub bouncer'.
Rory McIlroy in heated exchange in car park
While Lowry might have been the provocateur on the 18th green he quickly became the peacemaker as McIlroy found himself in a heated altercation in the carpark after the round.
The footage captured on American television shows McIlroy preparing to leave the course alongside his wife Erica as well as Shane Lowry and his wife before a clearly animated altercation breaks out with the US caddie.
It appears that an angry McIlroy is saying, "it's a disgrace, it's a f***ing disgrace." Lowry was very helpful in getting McIlroy into to the car.
READ HERE: Shane Lowry Accidentally Produces Foul-Mouthed Outburst On American TV
Rory was running HOT leaving the course.
Bones got in the middle of his anger toward someone. Lowry trying to cool him off… 👀 pic.twitter.com/3TljIsmRvK— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfTimReilly) September 30, 2023
More as we get it. Paul McGinley provided more context on the spat in these extended scenes of the row.
🚨MORE FOOTAGE: pic.twitter.com/CN6HGfnkdh
— Rory Tracker (@RoryTrackr) September 30, 2023
READ HERE: Sky Sports Pundits Hammer American Players For Their Approach To Ryder Cup
READ HERE: Justin Rose Couldn't Resist A Cheeky Dig At Patrick Cantlay Over His Hat Choice
The circumstances surrounding the later altercation are still unknown but it's very obvious that something had Rory McIlroy reeling just minutes after he lost the day's last four-ball to Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark.
While Europe lost the last two four-balls they only need four out of twelve points from tomorrow's final round singles to win the Ryder Cup in Rome.
SEE ALSO: Report: Patrick Cantlay Launches Hat Protest As US Ryder Cup Team In Disarray
29 September 2023; The pairings of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay of USA, left, and Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood of Europe on the first tee box during the morning foursomes matches on day one of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
