Rory McIlroy has choked up after securing his fourth point for Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The Northern Irish golfer, 34, revealed his altercation with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava fuelled his performance at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club today.
McIlroy took exception to the way LaCava celebrated Cantlay’s 30-foot birdie put.
The row continued in the car park at the end of a scintillating Saturday of Ryder Cup action.
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe celebrates winning his match 3&1
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Speaking after edging out American Sam Burns, McIlroy told Sky Sports: "I needed that [the scenes from last night] to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week.
“I felt like I used it to my advantage. I feel the whole team came out here with a different level of focus and determination.
“In a way, it lit a fire under the bellies of the whole team.
“I so wanted to win another point for Europe.
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Rory McIlroy of Team Europe putts on the sixth green
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"Ever since Whistling Straits, I was so disappointed in my performance there so to come here to Rome and get four points for the team means a lot to me and hopefully we can just get it done.
"I feel like it's a great bounceback for us after what happened.
“It's an incredible team, a young team and one that will be around for a long time, The support has been unbelievable.
"It's also been a great week for me personally. I am now going to go and follow boys and get them in the house and get this over and done with.
Rory McIlroy of Europe speaks to Joe LaCava, caddie for Patrick Cantlay of USA, after their match during the afternoon fourball matches on day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup
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“We have played the back nine pretty well this week so I have full confidence in the boys to get the job done."
McIlroy secured Europe’s 13th point on the 2023 Ryder Cup following his victory over Burns.
It puts Team Europe on the verge of regaining the biennial trophy.
Victory for Europe would also extend the continent’s unbeaten record on home soil.
Team USA have not managed to pull off a victory in Europe since 1993 and their next opportunity will come in 2027 in Ireland.
