Zach Johnson plays down heated incident between Rory McIlroy and caddie Joe LaCava

A heated disagreement on the 18th green, which Cantlay birdied to win a much-needed point for the USA, spilled over into a finger-pointing bust-up in the car park which saw the Northern Irishman bustled into a car by team-mate Shane Lowry as things threatened to boil over.

But as far as Johnson is concerned that is over with and the only danger he sees is from the boost his players received from winning the afternoon fourballs 3-1 to head into Sunday trailing 10.5-5.5.

“What I saw on 18 was a phenomenal putt and a celebration by some of our guys. I saw passion and all of what’s great in the Ryder Cup come out,” he said after McIlroy complained LaCava had been in his eyeline for his crucial putt which would have secured a half point.

“And to my knowledge, based on what I was told, that was diffused after the match, and so I’m told it’s all good.

“I’m aware of something happening (in the car park) I don’t know what transpired specifically.

“I spoke with Joe after and he said he talked to Rory and it was all good. That’s all I know.”

The holders still face a difficult task to hang onto the trophy but, after three sessions of European dominance, Johnson has at least something positive now to cling onto.

“We came out and played some pretty inspirational golf in the second session – this could have been a substantial deficit and that deficit could have been substantial because of the quality play of our opponent, they have been tremendous,” he added.

“But I am really energised and proud of the way our last session rallied not only to put red on the board but rallied around each other, which is of no surprise to me. I’ve voiced it. It’s starting to come to fruition.

“(There was) some inspirational golf out there and I think momentum, certainly in sports but specifically in golf and even more specifically in this tournament, is a pretty lethal deal which can breed confidence and energise within.

“So it’s a tall task but a task that these guys welcome and are built for so I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

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