Ryder Cup: Patrick Cantlay hits out at ‘outright lies’ after it was claimed USA star wants to be paid to face Europe and refused to wear a cap in protest
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Patrick Cantlay branded reports that he refused to wear a cap at the Ryder Cup in protest at not being paid as ‘outright lies’ after he sealed victory over Justin Rose on Sunday.
It was claimed that Team USA have been blighted by a rift after Cantlay questioned why players were not being paid to play in Rome.
Reports suggested that Cantlay showed his frustration by refusing to wear a team cap. That sparked taunts and a hostile atmosphere from the home crowd.
‘It’s totally false – it couldn’t be further from the truth,’ Cantlay told NBC on Sunday. ‘There hasn’t been one word of that all week. The US team has been close all week. It’s just outright lies.’
The US PGA requested extra security for Cantlay for Sunday’s singles showdown after his caddie Joe LaCava landed himself in hot water for celebrating in McIlroy’s face as he prepared for a crucial putt to save the final match on Saturday.
Patrick Cantlay hit out at ‘outright lies’ after he was embroiled in a storm at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy had argued with Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava after a fractious day in Rome
The 68-year-old, who used to caddie for Tiger Woods, took off his cap and waved it in the air when Cantlay made a decisive putt on 18 in the crucial last four-ball match.
LaCava decided to wave his hat in the air to hit back at the fans who had been taunting Cantlay all day, waving their hats in the air and chanting ‘where’s your cap?’
Cantlay blocked out the crowd again on Sunday to beat Rose 2 and 1 as the USA chased an unlikely comeback. ‘I think it’s great – the fans are invested and it’s so different than a normal week and you have to embrace it,’ he said afterwards.
‘I did my best – unfortunately dealing with some weird, completely false media stories from just one person and the crowd took it and ran with it and that’s alright – I had fun with them today.
‘That’s how this tournament should be, that’s exactly what I expected. Europe has played great all week, they’ve had the home crowd advantage – they’ve been pulling for them.’
He added: ‘I just try to use it as fuel. you can take all that energy and turn it into focus and good adrenaline and that’s what I tried to do this week.’
McIlroy launched into a livid rant at someone while leaving Marco Simone Saturday
The European team were furious with LaCava after he celebrated in front of McIlroy
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