Brooks Koepka on memorable Rory McIlroy moment: "It was odd but I got a laugh out of it"

Brooks Koepka says he 'got a laugh' out of Rory McIlroy's outburst of anger during the Ryder Cup in Italy. 

McIlroy was involved in a heated confrontation on the 18th green with U.S. caddie Joe LaCava during the 2023 matches at Marco Simone. 

The Northern Irishman felt he wasn't afforded the same opportunity to hole his putt after Patrick Cantlay saved par in miraculous fashion. 

It spilled over into the car park and a furious McIlroy had to be bundled into a taxi by Shane Lowry in front of his wife Erica Stoll. 

McIlroy said the confrontation was the 'angriest' he had ever been in his career and used it as motivation to lead Europe to victory.

Of course, it is all water under the bridge now and LaCava has apologised for his behaviour. 

"There was tension, you could tell stuff was going on, but I didn't see it because I was on the green," Koepka told The Times of London. 

"I went back to the hotel and hopped in the shower. 

"My wife said, 'Did you hear what happened?' She says, 'Look at this' and holds the phone up against the glass. I was like, 'Oh my God, holy s---, that's crazy’.

Koepka added: "It was good. It got people riled up. You know what it reminded me of a bit? 

"It was like a hockey fight where guys duke it out real quick and it just energises their team. Well, it worked for them.

"But it's also like a lot of s--- that goes on in the NBA, when these guys are ready to go and everyone's just pulling them back. 

"Once they get pulled back they're twice as tough. I don't think Rory's ever been in a fist fight in his life. 

"Shane? I'd probably say he's been in a few. It was odd. I got a laugh out of it."

Europe went on to win the 2023 Ryder Cup 16½-11½.

McIlroy defeated Sam Burns 3&1 in his Sunday singles contest and later declared Europe would win this year's contest at Bethpage Black. 

Europe haven't won an away Ryder Cup since the 2012 miracle at Medinah. 

Koepka and McIlroy are set to go head-to-head once again next week for the first men's major of the year. 

Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to defend his Masters title and land his third green jacket.

McIlroy is the second favourite. 

Koepka is one of 13 LIV players in the 2025 Masters field.