“Tensions were high” - Rory McIlroy says he’s made peace with caddie Joe LaCava after their Ryder Cup row

Rory McIlroy has made peace with Joe LaCava after their Ryder Cup row. The PGA Tour star said at Formula One’s US Grand Prix that he resolved his differences with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie.

The duo found themselves in a sticky situation during the Sunday’s singles in Rome. LaCava refused to get out of McIlroy’s way on the greens, which led to a confrontation between the two. Now, the Irishman has come out to note that the row took place due to the “heat of the moment.” The European team star noted that the “tensions were high” and they’ve since found peace over a drink.

Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport during the Formula One US Grand Prix:

“Things happen in the heat of the moment, tensions were high. Joe LaCava came into the European team room on the Sunday night and had a drink and a chat.”

He further lauded LaCava for his career as a celebrated caddie. However, McIlroy stated that his sight was set on Team Europe’s win and he was under pressure.

McIlroy also said:

“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, I purposely didn’t want to meet anyone on the Sunday morning because I wanted what had happened to fuel me for that day.

My whole focus was let’s make sure Europe win the Ryder Cup and then we will sort all the other stuff out afterwards. And it’s all fine. We’re all friends now.”

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Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava's Ryder Cup row

It is pertinent to note that LaCava fuelled Rory McIlroy’s fire during the Ryder Cup in Rome. The caddie’s refusal to get out of the golfer’s way came as the latter attempted to line up a putt for a half of a fourball loss with Matt Fitzpatrick to Cantlay and Wyndham Clark. The incident led to the Irishman being restrained in the car park by Shane Lowry.

McIlroy went on to beat Sam Burns 3-1 as Europe won the trophy back. Following the win, the golfer revealed he deliberately avoided meeting with LaCava before the singles in order to use the Saturday night flare-up as motivation.

It is also noteworthy that Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava later shook hands before leaving Rome. According to NBC, the golfer and the caddie had a chat to clear the air between them.

Reports even suggested that Tiger Woods’ former caddie even texted Rory before Sunday singles. LaCava also told McIlroy that he had nothing but ‘respect’ for the player.