The 45th edition of the Ryder Cup gets underway on Friday at Bethpage Black, with Team Europe seeking to defend the title they won back in 2023 against Team USA in Rome
Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy faced off against eachother during the 2023 edition of the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Friday will see the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup get underway, with Team Europe seeking to defend the 2023 title they won in Rome at Bethpage Black.
Much of the discussion leading up to the event has centred on Team USA’s decision to accept payment for their participation in the Ryder Cup, a decision that golf legend Dame Laura Davies has strongly criticized. Players being paid to participate in the Ryder Cup was a topic of discussion two years ago as well, with Patrick Cantlay, who is part of Keegan Bradley’s 2025 US team, front and center when it came to the drama that unfolded.
Cantlay refused to wear a Team USA cap, with rumors suggesting he did so due to not being paid for his participation in the historic event. The 33-year-old later denied these claims, citing that his decision not to wear one came down to two factors: he wanted to avoid tan lines before his wedding, and the hats did not fit his head properly.
Aberg hopes Europe can channel the spirit of Medinah in Rome
“This is the first I heard of it right when I got off the green,” Cantlay said back in 2023 while competing in the Ryder Cup for Team USA. “That’s the furthest thing from the truth.
“It’s not about that [being paid]. It’s just about Team USA and representing our country.”
He added: “The hat doesn’t fit. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits [in 2021], and didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that. I was going to go no hat all week regardless, so I figured would I keep it consistent.”
And the cap incident wasn’t the only drama Cantlay was involved in back in 2023. At the close of play on the Saturday at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, McIlroy and Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, clashed on the 18th green.
McIlroy was one up with two to play, facing off against Cantlay, only for the latter to finish up with a birdie before sinking a 45-footer on the 18th par-five to snatch a dramatic victory for
Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava exchanged words on the green at the 2023 Ryder Cup
Amidst the euphoric celebrations, LaCava appeared to exchange words with McIlroy, with the former having celebrated in the Northern Irishman’s direction after Team USA snatched the final fourball point.
That tension then spilled over into the parking lot in Rome, with McIlroy clearly incensed by LaCava’s action. He was seen angrily gesturing towards an unseen figure, believed to be LaCava before Justin Thomas’ caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, attempted to defuse the situation, alongside McIlroy’s close friend and Ryder Cup teammate, Shane Lowry.
Speaking following the incident on the 18th green, Team Europe captain Luke Donald admitted McIlroy believes a line had been crossed.
Rory McIlroy’s anger at Joe LaCava spilt over into the car park.
“Donald said: “Obviously, I was [on] 18 and I saw it unfold.
“When Patrick made that putt, Joe was waving his hat — there was some hat-waving going on throughout the day from the crowd, not our players. I talked to Rory and he politely asked Joe to move aside as he was in his line of vision, he stood there and didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat and I think Rory was upset about that.
“Rory felt the line was crossed on the 18th green. He is a passionate player — we all are in this event — and I will speak to him later about
