REVEALED: Text Patrick Cantlay's caddie sent to Rory McIlroy after Ryder Cup row

ROME - Rory McIlroy reportedly 'cleared the air' with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava before the final day of the Ryder Cup. 

McIlroy had to be bundled into the back of a vehicle in front of his wife Erica Stoll after unsavoury scenes at the end of his match against Cantlay spilled over into the car park at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. 

The four-times major champion was unhappy that LaCava, who normally caddies for Tiger Woods, had continued celebrating whilst he was trying to line up a crucial birdie putt. 

Footage shows the two exchanging words and the caddie remonstrating with the Ulsterman. 

Both McIlroy and his playing partner Matthew Fitzpatrick had birdie opportunities to tie the match against Cantlay and Wyndham Clark but missed, giving Team USA an unlikely point to leave them trailing by five points going into the Sunday singles. 

Thousands of European fans goaded Cantlay by waving their caps at the American on Saturday after there were reports he wasn't wearing one as a protest about not being paid to compete in the Ryder Cup. 

Patrick Cantlay on the first tee. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/GF1UmXl8La

— BenSmith (@bensmithgolf) October 1, 2023

Cantlay denied he was protesting although he refused to comment when asked directly: "Do you believe players should be paid at the Ryder Cup?"

The 31-year-old undoubtedly had the backing of his teammates. Some players decided not to wear their hats on Sunday for moral support. 

Sam Burns waved his cap enthusiastically to the crowd on the first tee before his match with the Ulsterman. 

McIlroy, who had to bundled into the back of a vehicle by Shane Lowry in front of his wife as he argued with the looper, was greeted on the first tee to a monumentally thunderous applause. 

European fans adapted the famous Cranberries song 'Zombie' and serenaded him with chants of: "He's in your head, he's in your head, Rory! Rory!"

Here's a clip: 

Rory McIlroy serenaded by European fans on the first tee. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/3cNlsb0bzQ

— BenSmith (@bensmithgolf) October 1, 2023 

Both Ryder Cup captains have weighed in on the McIlroy bust-up.

For his part Donald said he was unaware the argument spilled over into the car park. 

"I've talked to Rory," he said. "He politely asked Joe to move aside. He was in his line of vision. He stood there and didn't move for a while and continued to wave the hat, so I think Rory was upset about that."

And U.S. skipper Johnson said: 

SI's Bob Harig reported LaCava and McIlroy met up before Sunday's play got underway to clear the air. 

"Love you guys, I have nothing but respect," LaCava reportedly sent via text to McIlroy on Saturday night to set up a chat with McIlroy on Sunday.

LaCava is said to have apologised for his behaviour to McIlroy and his European teammates. 

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