Rory McIlroy led Team Europe to victory. © APA/afp / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

With “fire in the belly” to the Ryder Cup triumph

Anger seems to be a driving force for Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy to achieve top performance on the golf course.

02 October 2023

From: dpa

After the Europeans' 16,5:11,5 triumph in the prestigious continental competition against the USA in Rome, the world number two declared Conflict with the caddy of the US player Patrick Cantlay would have provided “additional fire in the bellies” of Team Europe.

After McIlroy had won his first three games, the four-time major winner from Northern Ireland lost his match alongside Matt Fitzpatrick against the US duo Cantlay and Wyndham Clark on Saturday evening. McIlroy then accused Joe LaCava - Tiger Woods' former caddie - of standing in his way and waving a cap in his line of sight before his decisive putt on the 18th green. This incident led to the 34-year-old's outburst of anger in the parking lot of the golf course.

McIlroy with a clear message

“I don’t think it just motivated me, it motivated the whole team. We felt disrespected on the last green,” McIlroy told the British broadcaster BBC. He spoke of the angriest moment he had ever experienced in his career. McIlroy and Team Europe then used this motivation on the final day. “We wanted to go out there and make them hurt.”

Team Europe beat the USA. © APA/afp / ANDREAS SOLARO

McIlroy fought back tears of joy after his triumph at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club on Sunday. In contrast, after this defeat in the most important team competition in golf, the US selection has been waiting for success on European soil for 30 years.