[Photo: Ross Kinnaird]
As we’ve learned in the past couple years, there doesn’t appear to be any love lost between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay. Now we know McIlroy doesn’t love Cantlay’s pre-shot routine, either.
Of course, these two PGA Tour stars were central figures during “Hatgate” at the 2023 Ryder Cup. In a subsequent interview with the Irish Independent, the five-time major champion admitted his relationship with the American is “average at best”, and he referred to him as a “d–k”. Ouch.
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The two were also both part of the PGA Tour’s policy board before McIlroy resigned in 2023. And now a fan video has emerged from last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black that won’t bring them any closer together.
While McIlroy is known for playing quickly, Cantlay has a reputation for being more, um, deliberate on the course. This really shows itself with his patented pre-shot shuffle. And in the clip from the crowd, you can see McIlroy mocking that move. Have a look:
🚨🏌️😴 #NEW — Footage from the 2025 Ryder Cup has emerged of Rory McIlroy mocking Patrick Cantlay’s pre-shot routine. @TrackingRory @TrackingCantlay
(Via: manning57/IG) pic.twitter.com/vJWYty65iV
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 28, 2026
As you can hear, people in the crowd seemed to enjoy Rory’s rendition. Again, he’s not alone in thinking “Patty Ice” could pick up the pace. You just don’t usually see a fellow tour pro poke fun of someone like that.
Anyway, how long is it until the next Ryder Cup? And let’s please make sure to get these two in the same pairing again in Ireland.
