The final round of the US Open is going to be full of drama and fascinating storylines throughout the final day’s play, but one thread that will likely lead to a considerable amount of broadcast time and chatter among the fans is the pairing of Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay.
The two – who could not be classed as good friends – will tee off on Sunday at 2:10pm ET (7:10pm BST) looking to quickly close the three-shot gap up to leader Bryson DeChambeau and set up their own respective Major tilt at Pinehurst No.2.
As they do so, Cantlay and McIlroy will have to park their contrasting views on the world of golf and their differing styles of play – all while trying to ignore the events of last October at the Ryder Cup.
Late on during the duo’s brief time on the PGA Tour board together, McIlroy was leading Team Europe’s charge towards regaining the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club just outside of Rome, Italy.
After a report broke on the second morning that Cantlay was refusing to wear a Team USA cap due to a dispute over whether players should be paid for their appearance at the biennial competition, European fans supporting McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick taunted the eight-time PGA Tour winner by waving their hats in the air whenever he was near.
Joe LaCava and Patrick Cantlay
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Ironically, it appeared to spur Cantlay on and the Californian enjoyed a fantastic day alongside Wyndham Clark – ultimately holing a clutch putt on the 18th that would give Zach Johnson’s men faint hope of a miracle recovery on Sunday.
Once said putt dropped, and clearly fed up by his player’s treatment, Joe LaCava – Cantlay’s caddie – began fervently waving his cap above his head while standing close to McIlroy. The four-time Major winner was upset by LaCava’s ill-judged moment and an argument, which would ultimately spill over into the car park later on, arose.
McIlroy and Fitzpatrick both missed their tying putts, but the incident left such a sour taste in the Northern Irishman’s mouth that he walked onto the course the following day with a steely determination seldom seen even at a Major. Sam Burns was the victim that day, falling 3&1 after putting up a decent but forlorn fight.
The bitterness between McIlroy and LaCava was quickly smoothed over, however, with the…
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