Xander Schauffele's father criticises Rory McIlroy's behaviour on eve of The Open

Xander Schauffele's father says Rory McIlroy behaved 'disgustingly' at the 2023 Ryder Cup. 

McIlroy clashed with several members of the US team the last time the biennial match was played on European soil. 

The Northern Irishman was involved in a furious argument with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava at the conclusion of a tense fourballs match. 

Cantlay had spent the whole afternoon being goaded by the European fans at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, with thousands of spectators waving their caps at him. 

It was reported that week Cantlay wasn't wearing a Team USA cap as a protest for not being compensated. He has always denied this was the case, although the PGA of America have since confirmed US players will be paid this September. 

When Cantlay drained what turned out to be the match-winning putt, it sparked pandemonium amongst the US side and LaCava joined in as the team took off their caps and gave it back to the Europeans.

McIlroy, though, felt LaCava did not afford him the same opportunity to hole his putt and lingered on the green too long. 

He missed and the flashpoint spilled over into the adjacent car park, with McIlroy telling several members of the US team what happened was 'a f--ing disgrace'. 

Shane Lowry encouraged McIlroy to get into a car to defuse the situation. 

It's all water under the bridge, now, though' and LaCava has apologised. 

Schauffele's father Stefan was there and felt the whole exchange was unpleasant. 

He told The Times of London in a recent interview that the Ryder Cup has become unwatchable. 

Stefan was also annoyed with the abuse Lowry's wife Wendy received during the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits.

In a wide-ranging interview, Stefan opened up on his life now that he is no longer travelling with his son on a full-time basis. 

He told the publication: "Do I miss the PGA Tour? No. I'm not going to the Ryder Cup either. I'm afraid of what'S going to happen in New York. I was there [at Whistling Straits] when they called Shane Lowry's wife a w---- in front of him. 

"I couldn't believe my ears. Then I saw what happened in Rome. That was utterly disgusting claiming this money bull---- and Rory behaved disgustingly in my opinion. 

"It's only going to get worse. It's ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable."

Elsewhere, Schauffele senior confirmed LIV Golf offered his son more than $150m to join the PIF-backed breakaway. 

LIV could have doubled that figure and the answer would have still been 'no', he said.

The lack of world ranking points and being potentially frozen out of the major championships wasn't worth it. 

McIlroy and Schauffele are back in action this week as men's major season comes to a conclusion. 

The reigning Masters champion is among the betting favourites to lift the Claret Jug. 

He finished second to Chris Gotterup at last week's Scottish Open.