Recently, it was reported by The Telegraph that the PGA of America was considering paying team members $400,000 each for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Whoops—that’s always been a topic of controversy among golfers. Some believe the Ryder Cup is more about pride than profit, while others think players should get compensated for their efforts. Rory McIlroy, for example, once told the BBC, “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup.”

via Reuters

But not everyone agrees, and this difference in opinion has led to its fair share of rifts.

Take last year’s Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, for instance. There were reports of tension in the American dressing room over not being paid. Moreover, Patrick Cantlay became the face of the controversy. It was said that, in protest, Cantlay refused to wear a hat while on the course. Whether the protest was intentional or not, it didn’t stop him from delivering a clutch birdie on the 18th green, closing the gap for Team USA. However, what happened next is what everyone remembers.

As Cantlay celebrated his long-range putt, his caddie, Joe LaCava, joined the moment with perhaps a bit too much enthusiasm. LaCava waved his cap near Rory McIlroy’s line as McIlroy prepared to putt, sparking a heated confrontation. McIlroy didn’t take kindly to LaCava’s antics, and things quickly escalated, with Shane Lowry and McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, also getting involved. Though Europe still held a commanding lead, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Fast forward to today, and it seems the dust hasn’t completely settled—at least not for Shane Lowry. A recent post by Golf.com featured a collage of Ryder Cup moments, Max Homa playfully captioned, “Imagine if Joe LaCava had a flag to plant in Rome.” The comment was innocent enough, poking fun at the intensity of the event. But Lowry didn’t miss the chance to take a shot at LaCava, leaving a cheeky, 8-word response: “You only do that when you win… right?”

Now, for those who don’t know, flag-planting is typically reserved for the victorious, and since Team USA lost in 2023, Lowry’s jab was a not-so-subtle reminder that LaCava hadn’t earned the right to celebrate in that way. Ouch.

At first, it may look like playful banter—but is it really? It’s been a year since the event ended, yet the sour memories still feel fresh for some. Perhaps for Lowry, it’s more personal, given that his best friend, Rory McIlroy, was at the center of it all. For Lowry and McIlroy, it’s clear: you mess with one, you mess with both.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry: A Bond Beyond the Fairways

Rory McIlroy once called Shane Lowry one of his “biggest advocates,” and he wasn’t exaggerating. Lowry has always been quick to defend his friend, especially during tough times. When McIlroy faced heavy criticism after his abrupt exit from the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst—leaving without shaking hands with Bryson DeChambeau—Lowry was one of the first to stand up for him. Sharing a picture of the two on Instagram, Lowry wrote, “What Rory has gone through is as tough as it gets in our game, but I would like to encourage people, if anything, please be kind.”

And let’s not forget the infamous Ryder Cup parking lot drama. When emotions boiled over, and McIlroy was visibly furious, it was Lowry who calmly pulled him away. He guided him to the car and saving what could have been a massive PR disaster.

Their friendship goes way back—they’ve known each other since 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood, and that bond has only grown stronger. Living as neighbors in Jupiter, Florida, their families have become close too. One of the more amusing stories from their friendship? The two decided to pair up for the Zurich Classic after a particularly “drunken lunch,”. And it worked out pretty well—they walked away with a trophy to share.

For McIlroy and Lowry, it’s clear the Ryder Cup drama or any tough moment in golf doesn’t change one thing: their loyalty to each other. They’ve got each other’s backs, on and off the course, no matter what.