That’s what we’re going to do – Rory McIlroy sends warning to USA rivals after inspiring Europe to Ryder Cup glory
RORY McILROY wants to star as Rocky VIII after his latest Ryder Cup triumph and land a KO blow on America in 2025.
Justin Rose revealed McIlroy has been dubbed ‘Rocky’ by his Europe pals for kicking off in a car park as tempers boiled over following his fourball defeat on Saturday.
The Holywood hotshot, 34, was filmed letting rip at US caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay before being bundled into a waiting vehicle by team-mate Shane Lowry. McIlroy is celebrating a 16½-11½ win at his seventh Ryder Cup by calling on Team Europe to spank the Yanks at New York in two years’ time.
He said: “I texted Bones this morning. He was the first American I saw after I got out of the locker room, so he was the one that took the brunt of it.
“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I texted Bones this morning and apologised for that.
“I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen: I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”
World No 2 McIlroy was furious with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava for blocking his lie and waving his cap in celebration before the match was over.
McIlroy said: “I was hot coming out of that match. I was pretty angry. I didn’t agree with what happened on 18 but I think I let it fuel the fire today and it focused me and I was able to go out there and get my point.
“It was directed at Joe but said at Bones. But Joe wasn’t there. We talked about it as a team last night. We felt it was disrespectful.”
McIlroy revealed how Lowry ordered him into an ice bath at Team Europe’s hotel to cool him down after his incredible bust-up.
He recovered to win his singles match against rookie Sam Burns to end his seventh Ryder Cup with a victory to wipe out memories of a record 19-9 defeat two years ago.
McIlroy said: “He took me down to the cold plunge in the hotel and let me cool off. I’m not a scrapper but can be if I have to.
“I made sure it focused me. I read a few quotes from the great Marcus Aurelius.
“I just thought as a former emperor of Rome and as we are in Rome, it would be a good time to revisit some of his thoughts.”
America mounted a late charge in the final-day singles until Tommy Fleetwood ensured the decisive half point when opponent Rickie Fowler conceded a putt on the 16th green.
England’s Fleetwood went on to win 3&1 and said: “I did see how tight it was getting. I was more relieved than anything.”
Europe skipper Luke Donald, 45, is now undefeated as a player and as a captain in golf’s biggest team event.
He said: “At one point I was looking at the board trying to figure out how we get to 14½ points but in the end we got there easily.”