Golf fans say same thing about Patrick Cantlay at Presidents Cup

There will be no repeat of ‘Hatgate’ at the Presidents Cup.

Not on the evidence of the practice rounds at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, anyway.

Patrick Cantlay, the pantomime villain at last year’s Ryder Cup, is making his third appearance in the biennial duel with the International team in Canada.

But unlike in last year’s match against Europe where his lack of headwear sparked some of the most remarkable scenes we have ever seen on a golf course, Cantlay has rocked up wearing a team cap for this week’s showdown.

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Cantlay was in the eye of the storm in the 2023 defeat at Marco Simone when reports emerged that he may be choosing not to wear a cap as a protest for not being paid to be there.

It came as no surprise that Cantlay denied those rumours, suggesting instead that the US team hats didn’t fit his head.

“The hat doesn’t fit,” he insisted. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits [in 2021] and didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that.”

But these comments only stoked the flames before a thrilling Sunday denouement.

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And as many fans on social media pointed out, Team USA’s tailors have solved that apparent issue with Cantlay this time around.

“Hattrick Cantlay may be unstoppable,” one fan wrote as Cantlay practiced with headwear alongside his good friend Xander Schauffele. “Looks like they fit Cantlay’s head,” agreed.

“Is Patrick going to be paid to play this week?” a third fan cheekily responded.

Cantlay and his teammates, of course, won’t actually be paid to play in the Presidents Cup. The event, which is run by the PGA Tour, does allow each competitor to allocate a portion of the funds generated to charities of their choice.

The US side, led by Jim Furyk, are heavy favourites to beat Mike Weir’s International side on away soil.

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.