Patrick Cantlay keen to defuse row, says Rory McIlroy remarks taken out of context

30 September 2023; Rory McIlroy of Europe speaks to Joe LaCava, caddie for Patrick Cantlay of USA, after their match during the afternoon fourball matches on day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Patrick Cantlay has attempted to defuse his Ryder Cup row with Rory McIlroy and says remarks by McIlroy in the aftermath of the dispute have been taken out of context.

In a recent Sunday Independent interview with Paul Kimmage, McIlroy admitted he referred to Cantlay as a 'dick' during the squabbles that followed his altercation with Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava during Europe's fourball loss to Cantlay and Wyndham Clark.

McIlroy said: "I start having a go at them: 'Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger, and now he’s caddying for that dick he’s turned into a ...'”

McIlroy also described his relationship with Cantlay as "average at best" despite the pair working side by side on the PGA Tour Policy Board.

But in an interview with Golf.com, Cantlay appeared keen to rebuild bridges. 

“I just think that the Ryder Cup brings out the most emotion in golf. You can see it in me; it’s the most animated I ever get, and that just feels natural. I’m not acting, it just comes out because of the tension that’s created in that event. I think that’s why fans love it. It’s just high-pressure, high-tension.”

Of the 'dick' remark, Cantlay added: “Yeah, I saw that. I think it was taken out of context. And that’s kind of the world we live in, where the headline drives the story.

“I think we’re both highly competitive and we’re both trying to be the absolute best. I think we both admire that part of each other. As far as the Policy Board goes, we’ve worked really closely together and had a really good working relationship over my year on the board.

“Look, I talked to him post-Ryder Cup and, y’know, everything was cordial and all good.”  

Of the heated moment on the 18th green in the win over McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, Cantlay defended LaCava's role. The caddie upset McIlroy by waving his hat in the centre of the green. 

“Like I said, I think it’s just high pressure, high tension. You’d have to ask him. I think when you’re in the moment your brain interprets it one way and then when you have some time to reflect, you might have done it a different way. But Joe LaCava is the best. He’s the best ever.”