RORY MCILROY appeared to get into a heated altercation with USA caddie Joe LaCava after a controversial end to day two of the Ryder Cup.
Europe hero McIlroy was bundled into a car at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome as the incident threatened to get out of hand.
The furious Northern Irishman, 34, appeared to shout and point aggressively at Patrick Cantlay‘s caddie outside of the venue.
He is believed to have been unimpressed with the exuberant celebrations from LaCava when Cantlay holed a putt on the 18th hole was still live during the afternoon’s fourballs.
McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick lost the match to Cantlay and Wyndham Clark, but the two Europe stars believed they could’ve halved it.
Team USA – and LaCava in particular, celebrated Cantlay’s fine putt on the last hole in a manner that riled McIlroy.
LaCava and other members of the team were seen waving their hats in over-the-top celebrations.
But both McIlroy and Fitzpatrick still had putts to half the match once the American had holed out.
McIlroy and LaCava had a brief encounter on the green, but the argument continued to spill over as McIlroy left the course.
The four-time Major winner moved towards his rival and was pointing his finger repeatedly in his direction.
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It’s alleged he shouted “That is a f****** disgrace”.
He had to be held back by team-mate Shane Lowry who then bundled him into a waiting car.
Fellow American caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay was seen among the chaos, but he attempted to calm the situation.
The USA won three of this afternoon session’s four matches to go into Sunday’s singles five points behind, at 10.5-5.5.
Speaking after his defeat earlier today, McIlroy said: “Matt and I played well.
“Obviously they had a great finish and Patrick made three great putts at the end to seal the deal, so hats off to them.
“They played a great match, and… a few scenes there on 18 and just fuel for the fire tomorrow.”
Steve Sands said on the broadcast: “Rory McIlroy took issue with him (LaCava) waving the hat before he had to make his putt there, and then when he turned around Shane Lowry gave Joe a little bit of lip and Joe gave it right back to Shane. This thing’s getting heated out here.”
