RORY MCILROY has branded rival golfer Patrick Cantlay “a d***” after a row with his caddie.

The Northern Irish golfer had a bust-up with caddy Joe LaCava during the Ryder Cup at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

McIlroy, 34, was seen shouting expletives and needed to be held back in a parking lot during the clash.

He claimed that LaClava was distracting him as he lined up a putt to tie his fourball match on the 18th green.

During an interview about the bust-up, McIlroy admitted that he was not in a “great headspace” at the time but did fire a dig at Patrick Cantlay.

He told the Irish Independent: “Here’s what angered me.

“My relationship with Cantlay is average at best.

“We don’t have a ton in common and see the world quite differently.

“And they’re trying to defuse the situation, but I start having a go them.

“Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger [Woods], and now he’s caddying for that d*** he has turned into a… I still was not in a great headspace.”

McIlroy continued to insist that it was not his “finest moment” in his career.

However, he did admit that Tiger Woods contacted him after the incident.

He said: “I sent him a quick message. It will be fine…long day… I just want to go to bed.”

Team-mate Shane Lowry had to bundle McIlroy into a car in order to bring the conflict to an end.