Why Patrick Cantlay isn’t wearing cap as Ryder Cup star faces LIV Golf accusation

Team USA are being whipped by Europe in the Ryder Cup, but other issues are distracting Zach Johnson’s team – including Patrick Cantlay’s decision to not wear a cap

Patrick Cantlay’s decision to not don a USA cap at the Ryder Cup has been a stark contrast to his teammates, including Xander Schauffele

Patrick Cantlay is refusing to wear a Team USA cap at the Ryder Cup in protest at players not being paid to take part in the iconic biennial event.

The Americans’ endured a horrific start to the tournament, trailing the Europeans 9.5-2.5 after the Saturday morning foursomes. However, Zach Johnson’s team have been hit by another scandal as Cantlay was the only player at the Marco Simone Golf Club not to be wearing a cap amid blue skies and hot sunshine.

According to Sky Sports, Cantlay’s frustration with lack of compensation has led to a divide within the USA camp. He is reportedly sitting in a separate area of the visitors’ locker room alongside close friend Xander Schauffele, and refused to appear at last week’s gala dinner.

Team USA declined to comment on Cantlay not wearing a cap, although pointed out he also did not at the last tournament at Whistling Straits in 2021. Cantlay and Schauffele lost their foursome match against Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton 2&1 as Europe continued their hot start.

Cantlay believes players should be paid to participate in the Ryder Cup and refused to wear the team cap to demonstrate his frustration. The 31-year-old’s behaviour caused a rift within Johnson’s USA team room.

Cantlay – who has earned approximately £50 million across his career – did don a cap at last year’s Presidents Cup, a PGA Tour event where players are paid to play. Naturally, the American was mocked as he hit his first tee shot in Saturday afternoon’s fourball match with European fans heard chanting: ‘Cantlay, where’s your cap? Cantlay Cantlay where’s your cap?’

Patrick Cantlay has been accused of going against the LIV Golf narrative as he reportedly wants money to represent Team USA (

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Golf personality Paige Spirinac is not a fan of Cantlay’s Ryder Cup stance, with the 30-year-old taking to social media to tweet: “Really goes against the whole we play for pride and not money LIV narrative lol.”

Cantlay’s frustration comes amid a nightmare start to Team USA’s Ryder Cup defence. Europe moved closer towards reclaiming the trophy in the Saturday morning foursomes, with both Brooks Koepka and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler were humiliated, suffering the worst defeat in tournament history to the young pairing of Viktor Hovland and debutant Ludvig Aberg.

Scheffler was later seen in tears after he and Koepka went down nine and seven to the European duo. Luke Donald’s team are now just five points away from outright victory and sensationally reclaiming the Ryder Cup.