- Sky Sports reports that Cantlay is in a separate room of the Team USA locker room
- It was suggested that Cantlay not wear a cap in protest at the players not being paid
- CLICK HERE to follow Mail Sport’s live report of the second day in Rome
The United States has refused to comment on reports that Patrick Cantlay is not wearing a cap in protest at players not being paid to play in the Ryder Cup – other than to point out that he did not do so at the last tournament either.
According to Air sportsThe Californian is also in a separate area of the visitors’ locker room with close friend Xander Schauffele amid a rift in the camp, and declined to appear at the gala dinner last week.
Cantlay is the only player on the court not wearing a cap under a blue sky and a blazing sun.
This detail adds to what has been a disastrous start for the Americans, who trailed 9.5-2.5 after the foursomes on Saturday morning.
A spokesperson for the US team said simply: “He was not wearing a cap at Whistling Straits.”
Patrick Cantlay will not wear a Team USA hat amid reports of a split within the camp, according to Sky Sports
Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (right) lost their foursomes match with John Rahm and Tyrell Hatton as America’s Ryder Cup woes continued
Cantlay and Schauffele lost their foursome against Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton 2&1 as Europe opened a commanding lead on Saturday morning to come within five points of winning the Ryder Cup.
Sky reported that Cantlay’s behavior caused a rift in Zach Johnson’s US team room at Marco Simone Golf Club.
Cantlay, 31, believes players should be paid to participate in the Ryder Cup, according to reports, and refused to wear the team cap to show his frustration.
He did wear a cap last year during the Presidents Cup, a PGA Tour event where players are paid.
Sky said Cantlay and Schauffele are in a separate room of the American team’s locker room.
Cantlay was mocked as he hit his first tee shot in Saturday afternoon’s four-ball match. European fans sang: ‘Cantlay, where is your cap? Cantlay Cantlay, where is your cap?’
That was followed by a shout of ‘where’s your cap?’ while his ball was in the air.
Before this weekend’s event, it was widely reported that the pair refused to allow Netflix cameras into the team room and that they both missed Team USA’s scouting mission to Rome earlier this month.
Cantlay didn’t wear a cap when the Americans defeated Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021
It came as Europe took some big steps towards winning the foursomes event on Saturday morning.
Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler were humiliated Saturday morning as they suffered the worst defeat in Ryder Cup history.
Scheffler was later seen in tears after he and fellow countryman No. 1 Koepka lost nine and seven to young Scandinavian duo Viktor Hovland and debutant Ludvig Aberg.
It heralded another strong performance for Team Europe, who went into lunch with a 9.5-2.5 lead, just five points away from outright victory.