Two years ago at the Ryder Cup in Rome, tensions boiled over as Rory McIlroy was seen confronting a member of the U.S. team in the parking lot at Marco Simone – and history could repeat itself

Rory McIlroy took issue with Joe LaCava’s celebration after Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark sealed the fourball win(Image: 2023 Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy will come face-to-face with rival Patrick Cantlay at the Ryder Cup two years after he clashed with the American’s caddie in Rome.

On Wednesday, Team US captain Keegan Bradley confirmed his picks for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. One of those selections was Cantlay, who will play in his third Ryder Cup after playing in 2021 and 2023.

This means McIlroy and Cantlay will once again cross paths after their clash two years ago, which was one of the big stories of the event. The 36-year-old has struggled for motivation since winning the Masters, but the Ryder Cup will surely stoke his fires.

At the close of play on the Saturday at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Luke Donald’s Europe had a healthy advantage. Tension mounted as a result, with McIlroy clashing with Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava.

Cantlay — who reportedly refused to wear a Team USA cap at the 2023 Ryder Cup in protest at players not being paid to take part in the iconic event — and Wyndham Clark defeated the team of McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick to close out the day and keep USA in the mix.

McIlroy was one up with two to play before Cantlay tallied a birdie and a 45-footer on the par-five last to snatch a dramatic 1-up victory.

Cantlay’s impressive birdie sparked wild celebrations from the American team. When Europe lost, boos rang out as Cantlay’s caddie LaCava appeared to exchange words with a frustrated McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman took issue with LaCava, who was heavily booed as he celebrated in McIlroy’s direction after Team USA snatched the final fourball point. Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose were among the European players on the green during the argument.

The incident spilled into the parking lot as McIlroy continued venting his frustration at LaCava. McIlroy was seen angrily gesturing toward an unseen or unnamed figure, believed to be Cantlay’s caddie.

Rory McIlroy continued to confront Joe LaCava in the car park hours after the fourball had concluded

Justin Thomas’ caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, appeared to attempt to diffuse the situation as McIlroy was pointing and shouting. Lowry eventually ushered him away from the scene.

Europe captain Donald — who has retained his role for 2025 — revealed McIlroy had felt a “line had been crossed” by LaCava as he celebrated Cantlay holing the putt that eventually reduced Team USA’s deficit going into the final day.

Donald said: “Obviously, I was 18 and I saw it unfold.

“When Patrick made that putt, Joe was waving his hat — there was some hat-waving going on throughout the day from the crowd, not our players. I talked to Rory and he politely asked Joe to move aside as he was in his line of vision, he stood there and didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat and I think Rory was upset about that.

“Rory felt the line was crossed on the 18th green. He is a passionate player — we all are in this event — and I will speak to him later about it.”

Cantlay will help Team USA in their attempt to win back the Ryder Cup lost to their European rivals two years ago. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28.