Top 3 Patrick Cantlay Controversial Moments of 2023

Last year, Patrick Cantlay had a rollercoaster season! The 31-year-old was in the news for various reasons throughout the 2022–23 season. His dreamy Rome wedding to Nikki Guidish was the only news in the concluded season that was not controversial. But not every day is the same, right?

The American star has been involved in several incidents that have sparked debate and criticism against him among fans and pundits alike. Here are some of the top Patrick Cantlay controversial moments of 2023.

1. Slow play at the Masters

Patrick Cantlay is known for his meticulous and deliberate approach to the game, but some think he takes it too far. At the 2023 Masters, Cantlay was accused of playing too slowly and holding up the pace of play. His playing partner, Viktor Hovland, reportedly grew frustrated. Cantlay also drew the ire of Brooks Koepka, who said, “The group in front of us was brutally slow,” to the reporters. Fans on social media also expressed their displeasure with Cantlay’s pace.

However, World No. 5 recently defended his pace, saying he was “just trying to focus” and that he did not feel like he was playing slow. This controversy had not yet subsided; another one was born.

2. Hat controversy at the Ryder Cup

Patrick Cantlay caused another stir at the Ryder Cup, where he played without a hat for the entire week. A report from Sky Sports claimed that Cantlay was not wearing a hat as a form of protest, as he believed players should be paid for their participation in the Ryder Cup. The report also alleged that he had his own space in the locker room, separate from the rest of the team.

However, Cantlay denied the report, saying it was “the furthest thing from the truth” and that he was not protesting anything. He explained that he did not wear a hat because it did not fit him and that he was going to go without a hat all week regardless. Notably, in a recent interview, he repeated himself and said, “I would never, never do a silent protest.”

Also read: LIV Golf Update: Is Harold Varner III Still Part of Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces Following the Reported Arrest?

3. Rumors about asking for prize money at the Ryder Cup

Another controversy surrounding Patrick Cantlay at the Ryder Cup was the rumor that he was one of the players who asked for prize money to play in the event. The Ryder Cup participants do not receive prize money, but each U.S. player this year received $200,000 from the PGA of America, which they can donate to a charity of their choice.

After this rumor, people started to speculate that he would be joining LIV Golf. Recently, he revealed in an interview that his representatives met with LIV Golf at least once in 2023, but he has “no plans” on leaving the PGA Tour and he “cares a lot” about his league.

What are your thoughts on Cantlay’s biggest controversies of the previous year? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch This Story | Tiger Woods’ Upcoming League Boosted by the PGA Tour and a Tour Pro Pose a Huge Threat to LIV Golf