Rory McIlroy calls golf rival a ‘D***’ as he sheds new light on infamous Ryder Cup caddie row
RORY MCILROY has branded rival golfer Patrick Cantlay "a d***" after a row with his caddie.
The Northern Irish golfer had a bust-up with caddy Joe LaCava during the Ryder Cup at Rome's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
McIlroy, 34, was seen shouting expletives and needed to be held back in a parking lot during the clash.
He claimed that LaClava was distracting him as he lined up a putt to tie his fourball match on the 18th green.
During an interview about the bust-up, McIlroy admitted that he was not in a "great headspace" at the time but did fire a dig at Patrick Cantlay.
He told the : "Here's what angered me.
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"My relationship with Cantlay is average at best.
"We don't have a ton in common and see the world quite differently.
"And they're trying to defuse the situation, but I start having a go them.
"Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger [Woods], and now he's caddying for that d*** he has turned into a... I still was not in a great headspace."
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McIlroy continued to insist that it was not his "finest moment"; in his career.
However, he did admit that Tiger Woods contacted him after the incident.
He said: "I sent him a quick message. It will be fine...long day... I just want to go to bed."
Team-mate Shane Lowry had to bundle McIlroy into a car in order to bring the conflict to an end.