23-07-2025
Rory McIlroy's 'disgusting behaviour' claim from PGA Tour star's dad rubbished by Open winner
The father of Xander Schauffele has sensationally claimed he will not be attending the 2025 Ryder Cup following Rory McIlroy's behaviour in 2023, and one golf legend has now hit back
Two-time major champion Tony Jacklin has fired back at the father of 2024 Open winner Xander Schauffele, after he stated he would boycott the Ryder Cup. Stefan Schauffele criticised Rory McIlroy's conduct at the 2023 Ryder Cup as "disgusting."
McIlroy was involved in a confrontation with members of the US team and exchanged heated words with Patrick Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava, at Italy's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Europe ultimately secured a 161⁄2-111⁄2 victory at the event.
The dispute escalated when McIlroy felt that Cantlay celebrated his match-winning putt for too long, preventing him from finishing his own game. The altercation continued in a car park, where McIlroy was overheard calling the situation "a f*****g disgrace."
The issue was eventually resolved, with LaCava reportedly offering an apology, reports Belfast Live. However, Schauffele Snr's remarks have irked 81-year-old Jacklin, a Hall of Famer and former Ryder Cup captain.
Speaking to Champions (UK) Plc, a business consultancy based in the Midlands, Jacklin defended the competitive spirit of the Ryder Cup.
He said: "One thing that p****d me off was the comments from Stefan Schauffele, when he said the Ryder Cup is losing its lustre because of the behaviour of the players and fans, and said Rory's reaction last time was 'disgusting'.
"But Rory was absolutely right in what he did. You'll always get heated moments in matches. I remember in Boston when the Americans ran on the green, I was the first to say there was no malice behind it, and that it was just pure exuberance.
"Obviously there has to be that mutual respect between the teams, but there's always elements of the media that take them out of context. The Ryder Cup is still a must-watch, a hugely important event in the game of golf. I have every reason to believe Europe can do it again."
The 2023 incident also saw Shane Lowry quickly usher McIlroy away from the clubhouse and into a courtesy car after the golf star was seen angrily shouting near Justin Thomas' caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay.
McIlroy later admitted that he experienced a moment of "red mist" during the altercation but assured that they resolved the issue afterwards. "Things happen in the heat of the moment, tensions were high," McIlroy said to the BBC."Joe LaCava came into the European team room on the Sunday night and had a drink and a chat."
Last week, Schaufelle Snr shocked the golfing world by announcing his decision to skip the New York-based competition in September.
Stefan expressed his frustration with the abuse Lowry's wife, Wendy, endured at the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits and the ongoing controversy over US stars receiving payments to play in the prestigious tournament.
"I'm not going to the Ryder Cup," he said. "I'm afraid of what's going to happen in New York. I was there [at Whistling Straits in 2021] when they called Shane Lowry's wife a w**** in front of him. I couldn't believe my ears.
"I saw what happened in Rome [in 2023]. That was utterly disgusting, claiming this money bulls***. And Rory behaved disgustingly in my opinion. It's only going to get worse. It's ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable." The 45th Ryder Cup is set to take place at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26–28, 2025.
