[PHOTO: Harry How]
There will be no apparel protest – real or imagined – this week at the Presidents Cup. One of the more indelible moments from last year’s Ryder Cup involved the European crowds hassling American star Patrick Cantlay after a report that Cantlay was taking a stand against the lack of pay for participation by (checks notes) not wearing a cap. The report spread on the grounds at Marco Simone during Saturday’s afternoon session, with fans waving their hats in Cantlay’s direction and singing “Hats off for your bank account”. It cultivated in Cantlay winning his match against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick with a long putt, “pantomining” a tip to his non-existent hat and his caddie Joe LaCava challenging all of Europe to a fight.
“Hats off for your bank account” is the chant to Patrick Cantlay on the 16th. What a scene. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/TzeSPXdSAu
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) September 30, 2023
An incredible scene, especially since – in the estimation of Cantlay and the American team – the report was fabricated.
“The hat doesn’t fit” Cantlay explained afterwards. “It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits, and didn’t fit this week.” It later emerged that Cantlay was getting married after the Ryder Cup, and that the golfer didn’t want a bad tanline for the photos.
We are not ones to take sides in this matter, except to credit the European crowds for the impromptu chants. Alas, don’t expect any such controversy at Royal Montreal for the Presidents Cup, as Cantlay has been wearing a hat so far this week.
For those wondering why, well, take it away, Jim Furyk.
Wave those hats 🇺🇸 https://t.co/XYlShGsnbN pic.twitter.com/z7CJkDnSTB
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 30, 2023
“We finally had one that had that odd of a shape that it would actually fit on there,” the American captain explained on Tuesday. “I think a lot of it’s our vendors. He wore a hat two years ago in Charlotte. We had the same vendors on the PGA Tour, and he seems to be comfortable.
“If my guys are comfortable in hats, they can wear hats. If they’re not comfortable in hats, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t work out too well for me, I’ll just say. My head will turn purple after a day, but I want them comfortable. I think we would both say that the clothing this year, my guys love it.”
Sounds like those dreaming of Cantlay showing up to the first tee without a hat on Thursday morning will be disappointed. And for those asking, no, players don’t get paid for the Presidents Cup, although a donation is made to the charity of their choosing.
