Patrick Cantlay’s participation in the 2023 Ryder Cup was anything but ordinary. While most golfers dream of a relaxed round before their wedding, Cantlay faced tens of thousands of fervent fans in Italy, all while dealing with internal team turmoil and public scrutiny.
His stance on player compensation and refusal to wear a team cap stirred controversy, casting a shadow over the US team’s performance.
The European victory, clinched by Tommy Fleetwood, extended the US drought on European soil, dating back to 1993. Cantlay’s actions and the reported division within the US team room only fueled the fervor of European fans, making this Ryder Cup one for the history books.