Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay set for awkward US Open reunion after Ryder Cup clash

Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay will go head-to-head in the final round of the U.S. Open, less than a year after their Ryder Cup clash. McIlroy managed to navigate the notoriously challenging Pinehurst, carding a 69, leaving him four-under for the week.

That score placed the four-time major champion in a tie for second place with Matthieu Pavon and Cantlay, trailing behind runaway leader Bryson DeChambeau. Consequently, McIlroy and Cantlay will play together in a thrilling Sunday showdown at Pinehurst.

It is the first time they will play together since their clash at last year's Ryder Cup in Rome. McIlroy was instrumental in Team Europe's emotional 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome, helping them reclaim the trophy they lost at Whistling Straits two years prior.

During the fourballs in Italy, McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick were against Cantlay and 2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark. Despite winning the final two holes, keeping Team USA's hopes alive, Cantlay and Clark only managed to win the match 1-up.

And afterwards, McIlroy had a heated exchange with Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava, on the 18th green. Tiger Woods' former bagman LaCava ruffled McIlroy's feathers by walking near him while lining up a putt at the 18th.

That vexed the Northern Irishman and sparked an argument that carried over into the parking lot. Recalling what happened to the Irish Independent late last year, McIlroy explained: "Here's what angered me.

"My relationship with Cantlay is average at best. We don't have a tonne in common and see the world quite differently.

"But when I saw he was getting (grief) on the 17th and 18th greens, I tried to quiet the crowd for him. And I don't think Fitz (Fitzpatrick) and I were afforded the same opportunity to try and hole those putts to halve the match.

"I shook Joe's hand and Patrick's hand. Those three putts he made on 16, 17, and 18 were fantastic, and under that pressure, to give your team a glimmer of hope going into Sunday was big balls. So all respect to him.

"There was a bit of argy-bargy at the back of the 18th green with Fred Couples and Thomas Bjorn - and that's fine - but as I'm walking back to the locker room, I can feel this red mist coming over me. 'No! That wasn't right.'

"And they're trying to defuse the situation, but I start having a go at them. Joe LaCava used to be a nice guy when he was caddying for Tiger, and now he's caddying for that ---- (Cantlay) he's turned into an ----. I still wasn't in a great headspace."

Cantlay addressed the pairing with McIlroy after his round on Saturday. "Yeah, should be great. ... I'm in a great spot come tomorrow. ... I'm really happy with how I played today, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."