Justin Rose will not let a bust-up with the American opponent Bryson DeChambeau overshadow a crucial day for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
Dechambeau screamed over in the face of Rose’s partner Tommy Fleetwood as tempts flared onto the walkway to the 16th tee under the Fourballs session on Saturday afternoon.
But the British couple kept their cool to deliver an important point against Defechambeau and Scottie Scheffler, who helped put Europe 11.5-4.5 up and on the brink of a historic victory on Bethpage Black.
The saliva came from Rose and complained about the Defechaus Caddy Gregory Bodine, who went across the line of her putt on the 15th green.
Rose eventually hollowed his Birdie Putt before the American followed to keep the fight alive.
It was then that it got ugly with Fleetwood, Rose, their caddies and Dechambeau, all involved in the saliva.
Tempers cooled as they walked down the 16th hole where Europe secured a memorable 3 & 2 victory thanks to a roseput.
It was heartfelt after the match with all four players and caddies who respectfully shake hands.
And Rose did not want the incident to define their fight.
“I’m really disappointed that this must be that speech point at the end of a really cool match,” he said.
“The golf level was incredible.
“I was ready to hit my putt. I didn’t feel that space was being honored. I made my feelings known. Asked him to move.
“Maybe not as polite as I could have done, but in the scenario it comes down the stretch, we both have a lot on our minds, and it’s intense out there.”
He continued, “I said to them, ‘if I should have done it in another way, I apologize.
“But apart from that, I had to step up and hit a huge putt with a lot going on.
“From my point of view, I just tried to protect my own kind of environment to perform.
“It’s all part of it. It’s up to them if they want to take it the wrong way, but from my point of view there is no malintent.
“Tommy and I were incredible today and huge match against Bryson and Scottie. We were a little aware of what it didn’t mean to us, but for the whole place.”
It was a record -breaking day for Fleetwood when he became the first player to win all his first four matches in a Ryder Cup on American soil.
In fact, he has only half a point less than the entire American team.
But he neglected his performance and insisted that Rose was the driving force of victory.
“I felt pretty good, but watching Justin Rose on the golf course are some of my proudest few hours on the golf course,” he said.
“I loved it absolutely. So blessed to be by his side today. Absolutely amazing what a golfer, what a human and to get another point on the board of the team, of course feels massive.
“Justin, I can’t talk much enough about him.”