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The caddie who triggered Rory McIlroy to rage and a carpark ruckus at the 2023 Ryder Cup has promised to sidestep any ‘aggravation’ when this year’s showdown commences on Friday.
Joe LaCava, formerly the bagman for Tiger Woods and more recently for Patrick Cantlay, sparked the chaotic scenes two years ago when he celebrated in front of McIlroy as the Northern Irishman and Matt Fitzpatrick lined up a putt to the square their match with Cantlay and Wyndham Clark.
When Europe went on to lose that tie, McIlroy erupted and the fallout later engulfed a different Team USA caddie, Jim Mackay, with a now-infamous confrontation in the Marco Simone carpark. The world No 2 subsequently labelled LaCava a ‘d***’.
This week will see the pair in close proximity at Bethpage Black, with LaCava caddying again for Cantlay.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport after nine holes of practice on Monday, LaCava said: ‘You know, they throw the names out there and chances are we'll play Rory at some point because there's four or five matches. Maybe it'll happen.
'But, you know, we don't need any of that aggravation. We just want good competition, both guys to play well.’
Joe LaCava, the bagman for for Patrick Cantlay, sparked chaos at the Ryder Cup two years ago
Rory McIlroy launched into a livid rant in the car park at Marco Simeone after the second day
The caddie had riled up the Northern Irishman with his celebration on the 18th green
Cantlay unwittingly became the face of the US defeat in Rome after it was reported he was refusing to wear a hat in protest at not being paid. He denied that was the case, but was unable to prevent fans jeering him across the week, which served as the touchpaper for LaCava’s celebrations.
Recalling the saga, LaCava added: ‘It wasn't fun losing, but it was fun to finally win a match after getting our butt kicked all week. So that was fun. That part of it was fun. It's always fun to win, right?’
Cantlay might again find himself a target for travelling Europeans here after the Americans broke with tradition by leveraging a payment of $500,000 a man. Mixed in with a New York crowd that is expected to be rowdy, LaCava is predicting a charged atmosphere.
He said: ‘We’re looking forward to the week for sure. I'm in Connecticut, so it's kind of a home game for me. I have a lot of friends and family coming out. It's a little extra special for me.
‘Feisty is a good way of putting it (the atmosphere). The guys will be pumped up. They love a winner here in New York. New York hasn't had many winners lately, so there’s probably a lot of pent-up frustration. They're ready to go a little crazy and have a good time.’
