Jim Furyk addresses Patrick Cantlay ‘Hatgate’ controversy

To wear a hat or not to wear a hat? That was the question facing Patrick Cantlay this week as he prepares for his first big team event since last year’s Ryder Cup storm.

Cantlay is teeing it up at the Presidents Cup this week and – thankfully for the US team – there will be no repeat of the ‘Hatgate’ chaos that whipped up the European crowd at Marco Simone.

It was reported at last year’s showdown that Cantlay was going hatless in the stifling Rome heat as a form of protest for not being paid to be there. Of course, Cantlay snapped back at those allegations and claimed: “It just doesn’t fit, it’s as simple as that.”

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But as the US captain Jim Furyk joked in Tuesday’s press conference, the tailors have managed to find Cantlay some headwear this time around.

“We finally had one that had that odd of a shape that it would actually fit on there,” Furyk smiled at Royal Montreal. “I think a lot of it’s our vendors. He wore a hat two years ago in Charlotte (2022 Presidents Cup).

“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.”

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Cantlay has been wearing his team-issued cap in practice ahead of the four-day match play contest against the International Team.

Like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup does not have a prize purse, but players are offered a fee to donate to a charitable cause.

The Presidents Cup is run by the PGA Tour, while the Ryder Cup is controlled by the PGA of America. Cantlay has worn headwear in the last two matches against the Internationals, but went hatless for the 2021 and 2023 Ryder Cups.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.