As the Ryder Cup fast approaches, a war of words between Team USA and Team Europe rages on.
The show was started by Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy’s exchange of words, as the fierce rivals showed there is no love lost between them after Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory.
However, the largest point of contention was the controversy surrounding the payment of Team USA’s players for representing their country in this year’s Ryder Cup. Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, stated, “This isn’t a week to get paid”.
He said he was proud of his players for rejecting the chance to be paid themselves, which raised the suggestion that the Europeans cared more about the tournament. That was put to Patrick Cantlay, who was unequivocal in his response.
Patrick Cantlay says Team USA are 100% focused despite player payment controversy
Team USA’s players had to face the speculation generated by Donald and answer questions about how much they cared about the Ryder Cup.
When Cantlay was asked about this, he had a strong response. He told reporters, “I think the U.S. guys are 100 percent focused on playing the best possible golf they can.
“I know we’ve had tons of meetings and tons of prep has gone into putting our players in the best possible spot to succeed, and I know 100 percent of their focus is on playing the best possible golf they can, and I know it means a great deal to them to show up this week and perform.
“I think this event is very good at generating lots of noise, and that’s not going to help any of us put points on the board. I think we need to put 100 percent of our focus on playing the best golf we can and let the noise be exactly what it is, just noise.”
Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and captain Keegan Bradley all said they will donate their $500,000 payment to charity. He was asked whether he supported the PGA of America giving its players the choice of keeping their money or donating it.
He responded, “Like I said before, I wasn’t a part of that decision-making process. I don’t think any of the team members were. I can only speak for what my plans are.”
Rory McIlroy’s incident with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie proves the USA care about the Ryder Cup
Last year’s Ryder Cup boiled over in dramatic fashion, as Rory McIlroy confronted Cantlay’s caddie on the 18th green of Saturday’s round.
Cantlay holed a long putt that ultimately won the match over McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick. McIlroy felt that Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, over-celebrated the putt, walking into McIlroy’s line and waving his hat, not allowing him and Fitzpatrick a fair opportunity to halve the match.
He confronted LaCava after the round in an argument that boiled over into the parking lot, when Justin Thomas’ caddie, Jim McKay, attempted to defuse the situation.
While Cantlay wasn’t directly involved in the incident, his caddie’s reaction to the American’s miracle putt captured the intensity and passion we can expect at Bethpage Black. Both teams want this badly.
When the first ball is struck in New York, the last thing any of these Americans will be thinking about is the $500,000. Not with hundreds of thousands of fervent New Yorkers screaming in their ears.
The money doesn’t change a thing. This is elite competition at its finest. It’s impossible to make these players care any more.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
