VIDEO footage has emerged showing the reason for Rory McIlroy's heated bust-up with Team USA after Day Two of the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy had to be held back from Team USA members and bundled into a car by team-mate Shane Lowry following a dramatic last hole defeat yesterday evening.
An earlier incident on the 18th hole explains just why McIlroy was so angry during his car park row.
Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava was caught on video clearly trying to distract McIlroy as he lined up a putt on the 18th hole.
LaCava was seen taking off his cap and waving it at McIlroy as they engaged in a heated conversation on the green.
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As McIlroy kneeled to line up the trajectory of his shot, LaCava kept going in goading the Northern Irishman.
LaCava had clearly lost his head and was also seen shouting at someone off camera as McIlroy prepared his putt.
Fans on Twitter were appalled by LaCava's antics with one saying: "A caddie trying to put a player off in the #RyderCup. Told to stop and move away first, then comes back for seconds waving his hat. There’s simply no way to defend that kind of behaviour from Joey. But I’m sure I’m about to get a lot of comments doing exactly that."
A second user added: "He should be kicked out of the competition."
And a third wrote: "Same old Yanks, always cheating!"
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And a fourth user wrote: "No place for stuff like this. So unprofessional."
In the heated bust-up as McIlroy prepared to leave for the team hotel, he was heard shouting at Justin Thomas' bagman Jim 'Bones' McKay: “It’s a f*****g disgrace, he can’t get away with it.”
NBC Sports report today that LaCava has now formally reached out to McIlroy to apologise.
The report says that LaCava sent a text to McIlroy's camp saying: "Love you guys, I have nothing but respect.”
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LaCava also met with McIlroy at the Marco Simone course this morning to apologise in person.
However the report details that McKay has not followed suit and he has not spoken to McIlroy since the heated car park bust up.
That's despite the pair encountering one another at the beginning of play today.
Europe go into the final day in Rome needing just four victories from the 12 singles matches to win back the Ryder Cup trophy.
Europe are five points ahead and Europe captain Luke Donald plans to ensure McIlroy is in the right frame of mind for today’s singles.
He said on McIlroy's state of mind after the altercation: “I’ll talk with Rory when I get back.
“As I said in my opening speech, we always try to play with passion, play with energy, but play with respect. That will certainly be my message to the players.
“We all want to win but we want to do it in the right way.
“Obviously Rory felt like the line was crossed on the 18th green.”
