Ryder Cup: Watch Justin Thomas taunt European fans by tipping imaginary cap to celebrate birdie putt amid furor over Patrick Cantlay’s caddie
Justin Thomas added fuel to the fire during Sunday’s Ryder Cup matches by removing an imaginary cap in front of European fans as tensions flared in Rome.
Thomas, a controversial captain, rolled a brilliant birdie putt to equalize the fourth hole in his match against Sepp Straka.
The American then tipped his ‘hat’ to the European fans, who booed him as he left the green. Thomas responded by covering his ear.
He was one of the American players who opted to play without a cap on Sunday.
It comes after Rory McIlroy refused to acknowledge the ‘cheating caddy’ who caused a huge row at Saturday’s Ryder Cup after standing in his eyeline waving his cap before a crucial putt as he took to the green today.
Justin Thomas donned an imaginary cap for European fans as tensions flared at the Ryder Cup
It comes after a dispute between Patrick Cantlay’s caddy Joe LaCava (right) and Rory McIlroy after he was seen waving a cap in the golfer’s eyeline
On the final day of the tournament, the US team is embroiled in a scandal amid allegations of cheating following the brawl – which continued in the club’s car park late last night – and an incident in which Thomas appeared to ‘kick’ his ball.
Footage appeared to show the former world number 1 kicking his ball while stuck in the rough during the sixth hole of Saturday’s fourballs.
The dispute involving McIlroy centered around Patrick Cantlay’s caddy LaCava – who has 36 years of caddying experience – and a boisterous celebration during which he refused to step aside for a while before launching into an angry tirade at the opponent.
American players have turned European fans’ taunts about Cantlay not wearing a hat into their own celebration.
Reports suggest the world number 5 is not wearing a cap in protest at players not being paid to play in the tournament.
In the blazing sun at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Cantlay and three other American stars decided not to wear caps.
Thomas opted not to wear one before appearing to play into the drama surrounding McIlroy and Cantlay’s caddying by tipping an imaginary hat.
Cantlay was taunted by European fans for his decision not to wear a cap, which was reportedly a protest against players not being paid
McIlroy launched into an angry tirade at someone as he left Marco Simone on Saturday
Thomas then poured fuel on the fire by tipping an imaginary hat during the tournament
Xander Schauffele – who Air sports claim sits with Cantlay in a separate room of the U.S. locker room amid a split in the camp — and Colin Marakawa also didn’t wear hats on Sunday.
The United States has declined to comment on whether Cantlay’s move is a protest against players not being paid at the Ryder Cup or not.
But the Californian, who also chose not to wear a cap at the last tournament in 2021, denied the reports following Saturday’s four-ball match.
“The hat doesn’t fit,” Cantlay said. “It didn’t fit in Whistling Straits, and it didn’t fit this week either. Everyone knows that.’