Now, after days of silence on the controversial topic that has kept McIlroy in the news for days. The 4x major champion shared his side of the story with Paul Kimmage for the Irish Independent. The statement of the Irish golfer may entice the already-lit fire.
Rory McIlroy candid on months-old incident
A bit of the backstory for anyone who has forgotten, Patrick Cantlay was assumed to be hat-less as a form of protest. However, the truth was that the hat did not fit him. In the final four-ball session of Saturday, Cantlay was getting booed for his hatless head.
As McIlroy also said, “When I saw he (Cantlay) was getting stick on the 17th and 18th greens, I tried to quieten the crowd for him. And I don’t think Fitz and I were afforded the same opportunity to try and hole those putts to halve the match.” Even though “My relationship with Cantlay is average at best.”
Moreover, coming to the last few holes, Cantlay made three great putts, “Those three putts he made on 16, 17 and 18 were fantastic, and under that pressure, to give your team a glimmer of hope going into Sunday was big balls. So all respect to him.” McIlroy said. However, what angered the golfer was that the celebration of those great shots had prevented him from taking their best shots.
via Reuters
McIlroy felt “this red mist coming over me: ‘No! That wasn’t right,” as he approached the locker room. Best bud, Shane Lowry was “roaring and shouting” making the Irishman “getting more and more riled up.” McIlroy then decided to visit the locker room of the Americans. However, Lowry was quick enough to push the “Bad idea” away.
The duo has reached the parking lot and Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay approaches to defuse the situation. In the end, McIlroy’s anger burst out and he used a lot of swear words. Although, the 24x PGA Tour winner is now ashamed of his use of language. The fight did not stop there, it continued to the lobby of the hotel.
McIlroy called Patrick Cantlay something not so savory
As narrated by McIlroy himself, Brooks Kopeka’s coach and caddie tried again to soothe the altercation, but he screamed, “Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger, and now he’s caddying for that d*ck,” as evident, he was still raged up. After he reached his room, LaCava himself texted the fiery man and asked to meet in the morning.
McIlroy left him on seen and rather replied to his business partner, Tiger Woods, who gave him “three texts and two missed calls.” McIlroy sent back the texts saying, “‘It will be fine … long day … just want to go to bed.’” Now that we all know the full picture, we can sleep better!