Patrick Cantlay has revealed the real reason he went bare-headed during the Ryder Cup in Rome, dismissing speculation that he was protesting against players not being paid. The American golfer insisted the missing hat was simply because 'it didn't fit', a claim he delivered with a straight face amid intense scrutiny.
The hat controversy became the biggest story of the tournament after a Sky Sports correspondent suggested Cantlay was angry that the team were not being paid by the PGA and was demonstrating his frustration by refusing to wear a hat. While Cantlay admitted he was unhappy that others were profiting from his golf, he denied the hat was a protest.
Crowds at Marco Simone Country Club relentlessly heckled Cantlay, serenading him with chants such as 'Where's your hat at?' and waving cash in his face. Despite the jeers, Cantlay remained unfazed, often smiling and nodding before setting up his shots. He appeared to embrace the role of villain, a position he is accustomed to due to criticism over his slow play.
On the course, Cantlay delivered a strong performance, defeating Justin Rose in their singles match. He went 1 up with a birdie at the 2nd and never lost his lead, eventually winning 3&2. His caddie, Joe LaCava, also faced crowd taunts after a heated exchange with Rory McIlroy on Saturday, when LaCava waved his cap in celebration after Cantlay holed a birdie putt.
The incident sparked a confrontation between McIlroy and LaCava, which continued in the car park that evening. Despite the drama, Cantlay remained focused, contributing a valuable point for the USA on a disappointing weekend for the team.
