Capgate: Cantlay denies revolt in USA’s Ryder Cup team room

Patrick Cantlay is reportedly refusing to wear a Team USA cap in Rome.

Patrick Cantlay says not wearing a cap at the Ryder Cup is down the fit, but refused to say whether he believes players should be paid for the event

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Reports on Saturday morning suggested Cantlay was behind a ‘fractured’ US dressing room over frustrations at not being paid to play in Rome this week, and not wearing a Team USA cap was part of his protest.

Cantlay, playing alongside Wyndham Clark, gave his team hope in the match with a host of vital late putts to secure a 1up victory over Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick. He faced a barrage of chants, including “hats off for your bank account” from fans on every tee box and green during his round with the thousands around Marco Simone waving their caps at the eight-time PGA Tour winner.

It led to Cantlay’s caddie waving his cap at the crowd after seeing his main drain the winning putt, causing angry scenes on the 18th green and in the car park as the players left.

Cantlay did wear a cap at last year’s Presidents Cup and Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir said his sources also revealed that Cantlay refused to attend the Gala Dinner earlier in the week and that he and Xander Schauffele are sitting away from their teammates in the dressing room.

Neither Cantlay nor Schauffele attended the USA’s team bonding session in Rome a few weeks ago as they were on the latter’s stag do. Jordan Spieth was the only other absentee with his wife due to give birth.

It is also understood that the pair, who are yet to score any points in this year’s match, were the ones who refused to allow Netflix’s Full Swing camera crews access to their team locker room during Ryder Cup week.

But speaking after securing a vital fourballs point victory, Cantlay said: “The hat doesn’t fit. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits, and didn’t fit this week.”

He was also the only player not to wear a cap in the official team photo. “I was going to go no cap all week regardless, so I figured I would keep it consistent,” he added.

Players’ outfits are fully tailored to their needs four months before the Ryder Cup. Cantlay did wear a hat at last year’s Presidents Cup, an event that also doesn’t offer players money for playing, and was pictured wearing a cap as he left the course on Saturday.

“It’s not about that (the money),” he said. “It’s just about Team USA and representing our country.” But when pressed on his beliefs, he added: “That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

US captain Zach Johnson also poured scorn on the rumors and denied the rumors and described the reports as “extremely poor journalism”.

“There is not a rift in this team room,” he said. “This is one of the most united teams I have ever been associated with. And when it comes to the dollar sign, I don’t mean to sound cliché, but the Ryder Cup is about more than any of that. It’s about standing with a band of guys to represent your nation, to represent more than you in the game of golf. It’s a sport for one week.

“And you know what, I would say if there’s anything that deals with money, there’s guys that would pay to play in this. So I am not understanding that, and I think that is extremely inaccurate and arguably irresponsible.”

Other reports said that Cantlay is actually angry that Brooks Koepka is receiving a hefty appearance bonus of between $3m and $5m from LIV for playing in Rome.

European captain Luke Donald had a simple answer when asked if anyone should receive payment for playing in the Ryder Cup.

“Absolutely not,” the Englishman said categorically. “The Ryder Cup represents true sport. You saw it with some of the passion at the end there. It’s about pride, representing your country, and coming together as a team. It’s the purest form of competition we have and because of that, the fans love it. There’s no extrinsic motivation involved. It’s just pure sport.”

Speaking on Sky Sports, Sir Nick Faldo was angered that anyone would expect payment.

“Seve would turn in his grave,” he said.

Johnson reiterated Cantlay’s claims that he doesn’t wear a cap due to the fit rather than any issues with money.

“That’s what the facts are. He doesn’t like the fit of the hats,” he said. “The facts are he didn’t wear a hat two years ago at Whistling Straits. And another fact, some of the stalwarts and legends of the European game that I admire and, frankly, have modelled a lot of my game after never wore hats in the Ryder Cup.

Craig Connelly, who caddied for Europe’s Martin Kaymer in the Miracle of Medinah, suggested on X that Cantlay was not the only player to feel that the teams should be paid, but didn’t divulge any more.

The PGA of America does put aside $200,000 for each American player, which they can donate to their chosen charitable cause. The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris is said to have generated Ryder Cup Europe $90m in revenue.

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About the Author

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge when it comes to golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.

Rob uses a Callaway Paradym driver, TaylorMade M5 5-wood, TaylorMade P790 driving iron, Callaway Paradym irons (4-AW), TaylorMade MG3 wedges (52º, 58º), Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Double Wide putter, and Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball.

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