Paul McGinley blasts Joe LaCava as new video sheds light on Rory McIlroy clash

Fresh video evidence comes to light to show why Rory McIlroy got so heated with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava at the Ryder Cup.

Andy Roberts

01 Oct 2023

Paul McGinley blasts Joe LaCava as new video sheds light on Rory McIlroy clash — Paul McGinley blasts Joe LaCava as new video sheds light on Rory McIlroy…

Fresh video evidence has come to light to shed light on why Rory McIlroy got so heated with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava on the 18th green following his Ryder Cup fourballs match on Saturday.

McIlroy and LaCava also squared up to each other in the car park.

REVEALED: THE TEXT MESSAGE LACAVA SENT MCILROY AFTER RYDER CUP BUST UP

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Cantlay had just buried a 30-footer for birdie to silence the home crowd on the par-5 18th in the final match of the afternoon fourballs at Marco Simone.

It led to exuberant celebrations from Cantlay, LaCava and the rest of Team USA for that matter at the side of the green.

Related: Luke Donald responds to Rory McIlroy / Joe LaCava bust up at Ryder Cup

LaCava took his cap off and swirled it around in the air along with the rest of Zach Johnson's team as a result of the wild rumours about Cantlay some 24 hours previous per a Sky Sports report.

Jamie Weir explains why Rory McIlroy confronted a Team USA caddie in the car park pic.twitter.com/kmYq6CkTx2
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 30, 2023

But McIlroy still had a 20-footer for birdie to halve the 18th and tie the match, with his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick also circling a 15-footer from the back of the green.

Only as McIlroy was lining up his putt, LaCava was still carrying on with the celebrations.

"That ball moved... that ball just moved."
Rory McIlroy eyeballs golf fan after hearing comment from behind him at the #RyderCup
https://t.co/vr3vT20K81
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) October 3, 2023

In new video evidence that has come to light in the aftermath of the McIlroy-LaCava bust up as the sun set in Rome on Saturday night, LaCava can be seen getting too close for comfort to McIlroy as he lined up his 20-footer for birdie on the 18th green. He is also waving his cap around a very long time.

NEW VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE MCILROY / LACAVA BUST UP ON 18:

Man, he is out there for a LONG time.pic.twitter.com/Tqlj2eNucG
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) October 1, 2023

Former winning European Ryder Cup captain McGinley reacted to the clip on Golf Channel and he did not hold back in his criticism of Tiger Woods' former caddie LaCava:

"Look, he's still having a go at him [McIlroy]. Watch this, he goes back over again. He should not be involved with a player trying to line up his putt here, and that is a mistake from Joe. He shouldn't be doing that. I agree with Rory. I have no problem Joe having a bit of fun back at the crowd and taking off the hat, but you cannot get involved in player performance."

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO ANGLE HERE

Live From just showed this angle of LaCava on the 18th green in Rory’s kitchen as he prepared for his birdie putt. Definitely right in Rory’s way. pic.twitter.com/NcBAILHBcJ
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) September 30, 2023

LaCava moved on to Cantlay's golf bag earlier this season after being given the green light by Woods, who has hired him since 2011.

Woods is currently still sidelined as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery following The Masters back in April.

What do you make of LaCava's actions on the 18th green? Was Rory McIlroy right to have a go at him? Share your thoughts over on the GolfMagic social channels.