Patrick Cantlay was a much discussed figure heading into the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage following the controversy surrounding the Team USA star in Rome two years ago
14:44 ET, 07 Oct 2025Updated 14:45 ET, 07 Oct 2025
Patrick Cantlay acted like a “warrior” at the Ryder Cup
Patrick Cantlay acted like a “warrior” at this year’s Ryder Cup despite Team USA falling to defeat at Bethpage.
That’s according to former PGA Tour player Jamie Lovemark, who was an assistant to vice-captain Brandt Snedeker for the week. It comes two years after Cantlay became a central villain in Rome when it was reported he refused to wear a hat over a pay dispute.
Though he shut this suggestion down, his motivations have long been questioned. And European fans at the 2023 Ryder Cup chanted, “hats off for your bank account.”
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Fast forward two years and Cantlay showed up to Bethpage Black in 2025 proudly sporting a Team USA hat. Captain Keegan Bradley said he never questioned whether or not Cantlay was going to be on this team alongside Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
And, despite the week not going as planned, it seems Bradley was rewarded with Cantlay’s attitude.
“He played five matches, no complaining,” Lovemark said to Monday Q Info. “He’s tired, it’s brutal out there, the team’s doing bad, but he was like, ‘whatever it takes to win, I’ll play with whoever, whatever ball to play with’.
Cantlay found himself the Ryder Cup villain two years ago
“As part of the team I guess, I was just so proud of him for being so tough and being such a great team member. Whatever it takes, doesn’t matter, I’ll play with anybody, any time. That was cool to see.”
Cantlay was the only American to lose on Sunday in the singles matches against Ludvig Aberg.
Team USA earned 8.5 points on Sunday at the Ryder Cup, but it wasn’t enough. Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Captain Luke Donald took home the hardware after beating the U.S. 15-13. The U.S. took their first home loss since 2012 when Europe had a dramatic comeback at Medinah Country Club in Illinois.
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After coming off the course in the loss column, Cantlay and the team could’ve put their heads down in shame, but the team room wasn’t all that full of gloom.
“As you can imagine, mixed emotions. Everyone was proud of how hard they fought, they came up just short. It was tough. Everyone was proud of themselves, the way they fought,” said Lovemark.
Keegan Bradley backed Patrick Cantlay from the start
It’s not getting any easier for the Americans next year, either. The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held in Ireland at The Golf Course at Adare Manor. This will be the second time the event is in Ireland, and it’s over 20 years since it was held at The K Club in 2006.
The next USA Team Captain is expected to be announced sometime in 2026.
