It’s been almost a month since the fire of the Ryder Cup died down over the Italian course. But the infamous feud between Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava is still strong in public consciousness. It seems the infamous incident tails European team members wherever they go.

Luke Donald, the European captain, sat for an interview with The Times. Among many things, inevitably, the controversial incident came up. Despite not uttering a word since the Cup, Donald opened up this time about what he feels is a rather ‘common’ incident due to the nature of the “passionate event.”

Luke Donald is unequivocal in his criticism of LaCava

Luke Donald spoke to the Times about the incident and revealed his honest feelings about the infamous incident on and off the course. Donald, like most of the commentators, felt that Patrick Cantlay’s caddie went overboard with the celebration.

“Joe overstepped the mark,” the European captain says in a bald-faced remark in The Times interview. However, the 45-year-old golfer reveals, that the caddie tried to reach out after the match to apologize for the bust-up. But, the European team used that as fuel to fire their last-day events. “(LaCava) tried to reach out after the fact and apologise (sic) but we just tried to use that as fuel for Sunday.” Indeed, it worked well for the Europan side as they netted five wins in one-on-one matches against their American rivals. 

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The on-course feud spilled over to the driveway as McIlroy was spotted in a heated argument with a US Team squad member. Although the Northern Irish golfer received some criticism for his unruly behavior from a certain section, the European team captain stands by his steed. “Rory was upset, quite rightfully, and these things happen at the Ryder Cup. It’s a passionate event.”

Indeed, the Ryder Cup is a passionate event and this was not the first time passion triumphed over reason in the long history of the tournament. But why did this particular incident attract so much public and media attention? There were multiple factors that led up to this bust-up.

What Rory McIlroy said about the incident

It all started when a British media report prompted European fans to mock Patrick Cantlay by waving their hats. Cantlay chose to reply in kind and Joe LaCava, his caddie, stomped the grounds when the American made a birdie putt against McIlroy and Shane Lowry. The Northern Irish golfer was yet to take his own putt and asked LaCava to move.

After His Deafening Silence on the Ugly Rory McIlroy-Joe LaCava Spat, Has Tiger Woods Finally Picked a Side?

However, McIlroy appears to have sorted it out with Tiger Woods’ ex-caddie. Recently, he revealed that LaCava approached him to bury the matter. “It’s all fine. We’re all friends now,” claimed the 34-year-old golfer. The duo were well-acquainted with each other before since Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are good friends.

Luke Donald, despite keeping mum for the entirety of the event, now chose to speak up about the matter. From his comments, it seems there is still some fire lurking inside the European team captain.

Watch This Story: With Merely Two Weeks Left for the Ryder Cup, Team USA’s Patrick Cantlay has Yet to Leave His Tainted Maters Footprints Behind