Rory McIlroy explains how Shane Lowry speech led to him ‘losing it’ in Ryder Cup car-park bust-up

"I'm getting angrier and angrier."

Irish golfing legend Rory McIlroy was involved in a car park bust-up with Patrick Cantlay and his caddie Joe LaCava following a Ryder Cup clash between Europe and the USA. McIlroy had to be put into a car by team-mate Shane Lowry at the Rome's Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in September. The four-time major champion was angered by LaCava for twirling his cap in an attempt to obstruct his vision as he prepared for a match-saving putt in the fourballs on the second day of competition.

Rory McIlroy explains how Shane Lowry speech led to him 'losing it' in Ryder Cup car-park bust-up.

The 34-year-old's temper was tested further when the caddie celebrated exuberantly after Cantlay huge putt on the 18th green, and McIlroy approached him the car park afterwards, resulting in a very heated exchange. Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, with Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Roy Keane, the professional golfer explained why it was a speech from Lowry that led to him 'losing it'.

"It happened on the 18th green and then we shook hands after – everything was okay," McIlroy said.

"I got back into the team room and Shane Lowry was giving us an incredible, motivational talk and as he's speaking, I'm getting angrier and angrier about what happened and that riled me up to what occurred in the car park afterwards.

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"As a competitor and a golfer, I have nothing but respect for Patrick Cantlay – he's an amazing player.

"I lost it [my emotions], calling people names and things happened that I regret, I used some language in front of people that should never hear that and I'm sitting in the car afterwards going, "I probably shouldn't have done that."

"But we shook hands and made up and had a beer together on the Sunday night – everything was fine."

McIlroy had previously claimed his relationship with Cantlay was 'average at best', when branding the American as a d*** in an interview last year. Related links:

• Rory McIlroy puts it to sheepish Roy Keane over infamous snub
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