Report: Patrick Cantlay at centre of “split” in US Ryder Cup team

It appears that all is not well in the US Ryder Cup team room.

According to Sky Sports, the American camp is split, with Patrick Cantlay reportedly at the heart of the division.

Reporter Jamie Weir is reporting that “multiple sources” have told him that Cantlay believes players should be paid to play in the Ryder Cup and that the world No.5 is refusing to wear a cap in protest.

Cantlay did wear a cap during last year’s Presidents Cup – for which players are paid – but his headwear has been conspicuously absent throughout the week, including the two matches he has played so far.

Weir is also reporting that Cantlay and close friend Xander Schauffele have ostracised themselves from the rest of their American teammates and are sitting in a separate area of the team room.

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US captain Zach Johnson denied the reports, telling NBC that this is “legitimately the closest team room I have ever been associated with.”

Nonetheless, it’s another negative talking point for a skipper who doesn’t exactly have his issues to seek. He saw his side slump to a record-equalling five-point deficit after yesterday’s play, during which they became the first American side ever to go an entire day without putting a full point on the board.

They also failed to lead at any point in any of the four Friday morning foursomes matches.

Speaking to the media at the close of play on Friday, Johnson revealed that a mystery bug had spread throughout his team, affecting several players and caddies.

The American skipper’s troubles continued into Friday morning where Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg inflicted a 9&7 defeat on world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka – a record-breaking Ryder Cup victory for an 18-hole match.

Max Homa and Brian Harman delivered the first full US point of the week with a 4&2 win over Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka, before Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood took down Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 2&1 in the opening match of the morning. And Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton edged Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 2&1 to take Europe into the final pairs session with a 9.5-2.5 lead.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor