It’s probably for the best Pat Perez was far removed from Ryder Cup contention — it could have led to more drama for Rory McIlroy.
Perez’s wife, Ashley, posted her reaction on Instagram to McIlroy’s feud with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, that played out on the 18th green of Marco Simone Country Club on Saturday evening at the Ryder Cup.
“I can’t possibly be the only one that would absolutely love to watch Rory get punched in the face 🙂. I mean that in the nicest way possible… kinda 🙃,” Ashley appeared to write on Instagram in response to the explosive clip, as captured by Sports Illustrated golf writer Gabby Herzig.
“Uhhhhhh ….wellness check on Ashley Perez?” Herzig wrote in response.
The heated scene on the green was the result of day-long heckling by European fans pointed at Cantlay, who — unlike the rest of his American teammates — had not worn a hat during the event.
There was a report, which Cantlay vehemently denied, that he was going hat-less to protest the fact that players do not get paid for the bi-annual event.
Cantlay drained a lengthy putt for birdie on the 18th green, putting himself and partner Wyndham Clark in position for a 1-up win over McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.
LaCava began mocking and engaging with the crowd while stomping around the greens, ultimately veering towards McIlroy.
McIlroy was furious that — in his view — LaCava was interfering with his putt to tie the match.
The frustration spilled into the parking lot where McIlroy had another angry confrontation with Justin Thomas’ caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, before being ushered into a car by European teammate Shane Lowry.
Ashley apparently was not a fan of the actions by the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy, especially in the beginning, frequently spoke against those who defected from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
Perez was among the lesser-known players who made a jump that was led by Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.
Ashley went on an angry Instagram rant as criticism grew against players who left for the Saudi-backed tour.
“So if anybody feels the need to say anything and I mean anything negative about Pat going to the LIV Tour, you will be blocked,” Ashley Perez said on an Instagram Live video. “Just like 200, maybe even 300 people are already. And you’ll never be back in. Anyways, that being said, I love you all, cherish you all ’till you say same bulls—t that I don’t like. I don’t want it, I don’t need it, I will not accept it, I will not allow it in my world ever.
“So, if you feel the need to say something go ahead and just f—king delete me from your page. I won’t miss you. This new tour is going to be ICONIC.”
It is not the only time Ashley has found herself in controversy.
She responded to a video on X (formerly Twitter) that showed Tiger Woods working out following his 2021 car accident.
“Literally why driving under the influence is ILLEGAL,” she wrote. “I don’t feel bad for him. Thank god he didn’t kill anyone. See ya.”
There has been no proof that Woods was under the influence at the time of the crash.
