Things are getting a little chippy in Rome — and it’s the best.
A report surfaced Patrick Cantlay is not wearing a hat at the 2023 Ryder Cup because of an issue with players being paid, though Cantlay has since responded to the “Hat Gate” rumors, simply stating the team hat “just doesn’t fit.” He also mentioned that he didn’t wear one at Whistling Straits in 2021 because of the same issue.
Fans at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club heard the rumors, too, and started to taunt Cantlay all Saturday afternoon, waving their hats at him whenever he was on a green or tee box.
Cantlay was paired with Wyndham Clark during the last fourballs session of the competition, taking on Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick in the final match of the day.
After burying a short birdie effort on the par-3 17th to tie up the match, Cantlay raced his green-side chip 43 feet by the hole at the par-5 closer.
But his nickname isn’t “Patty Ice” for nothing.
Cantlay buried the putt and claimed the American’s third match win of the session. After the putt went in, members of Team USA (as well as a few caddies) took their hats off and started waving them to Cantlay, and some waved them at the crowd.
Wave those hats
https://t.co/XYlShGsnbN pic.twitter.com/z7CJkDnSTB
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 30, 2023
Joe LaCava, Cantlay’s caddie, also got in on the action. LaCava exchanged words with Shane Lowry, who was watching the match from off the green, and they didn’t seem to be pleasantries. (The tweet says Rory, but it was Lowry.)
A bit of drama on the 18th green.
Rory was upset with Cantlay’s caddie for waving his hat before he putted.
(via NBC) pic.twitter.com/Qw6kaRehDg— Golf on CBS
(@GolfonCBS) September 30, 2023
The Europeans lead 10½-5½ heading into Sunday, leaving the smallest of windows open for the Americans as they pursue an unlikely comeback.
After play was done for the day, McIlroy and Justin Thomas’ caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, had a verbal altercation while waiting for shuttles.
HOLY CRAP WHAT IS HAPPENING!pic.twitter.com/SLcBuDV4mr
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) September 30, 2023