Hatgate. Caddie controversy. An issue about wearing or not wearing a hat. A Sunday that barely mattered, but somehow became entertaining anyway. There were lots of fascinating and strange elements to this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, though only a handful occurred on course. Unfortunately, once again the American team couldn’t muster much of a charge, meaning the U.S. team hasn’t managed a win in Europe since 1993. It is a stunning record of ineptitude.
Despite that, the U.S. made Sunday far more dramatic than anyone expected. The U.S. trailed 10.5 to 5.5 heading into the final day, and a win would have been the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history. With the U.S. trying to make a comeback, the first match out—Scheffler versus Jon Rahm—came down to a half, and with Cantlay, Koepka and Max Homa winning their matches, suddenly there was a glimmer of hope the U.S. could make a comeback. But the lead was too big, and when Rickie Fowler gave Tommy Fleetwood his putt on the 16th hole, the Europeans had their 10th victory in the last 14 Ryder Cups.
European Captain Luke Donald was emotional in his post round interview.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsGolf/status/1708499974063804692?s=20
“Since I got the job 14 and a half months ago, this is something I always dreamed about,” said Luke Donald, the European team captain, who replaced Henrik Stenson when he left for LIV Golf. “It has been a wave of emotions. Proud.”
Europe’s domination was just one of a few trending headlines this year.
Here are the top stories coming out of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Historically bad start
Everyone expected this year’s Ryder Cup to be very competitive, especially after the American team won 19-9 at the last playing of the event at Whistling Straits two years ago. The American success in the last playing of the Ryder Cup meant the U.S. struggles out of the gate in Rome were startling. No one expected Scottie Scheffler, the world’s best player, to be holding his head and crying after getting dominated 9-and-7 in the Saturday morning foursomes match while being partnered with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka. But through the first 12 matches, the U.S. had exactly one win. It was a complete domination.
Koepka takes a shot at Jon Rahm
Koepka has never been shy to share what’s on his mind and he didn’t hold back Friday after he and Scottie Scheffler lost their match to Jon Ham and Nicolai Højgaard.
“I mean, I think me and Scottie birdied, what did we say, 14, we birdied 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and then lost by two,” Koepka said (they tied the match). “So yeah. I mean, I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we’re adults. We move on.”
Safe to say frustrations were high.
Hatgate
Did Patrick Cantlay not wear a hat in protest? Or maybe he just wanted to get some sun on his forehead. Did he want more cash or simply couldn’t find a hat that fit? Regardless, when Patrick Cantlay decided not to wear a hat at this year’s Ryder Cup, it led significant debate over what it meant.
“The hat doesn’t fit,” Cantlay said. “It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits, and didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that.”
Cantlay was taunted by the European crowd, and his caddie Joe Lacava (who was found on Tiger Woods’ bag until the golfer’s recent injuries) got in the face of Rory McIlroy on the final hole of their Saturday four-ball match. Several European players took issue with Lacava. On Sunday, several American players didn’t wear a hat in solidarity with Cantlay.
https://twitter.com/ANGC_burner/status/1708156199265317074
It was reported that Cantlay may have skipped wearing a hat to protest players not being paid for the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy v. Lacava
It was reported that Lacava apologized to McIlroy, something that appeared needed after McIlroy had a shouting match with another American caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay. McIlroy was asked about the apology after winning his Sunday singles match. McIlroy denied any conversation had taken place and said he used the unfortunate incident to fuel his 3-and-1 win over Sam Burns.
Live From just showed this angle of LaCava on the 18th green in Rory’s kitchen as he prepared for his birdie putt. Definitely right in Rory’s way. pic.twitter.com/NcBAILHBcJ
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) September 30, 2023
The caddie incident, along with reports that Cantlay was upset about lack of payment, led to the notion the U.S. team was in turmoil, something U.S. captain Johnson denied. “That is extremely poor journalism unless I know something that’s out there — there is not a rift in this team room,” Johnson said. “This is one of the most united teams I have ever been associated with. And when it comes to the dollar sign, I don’t mean to sound cliché, but the Ryder Cup is about more than any of that. It’s about standing with a band of guys to represent your nation, to represent more than you in the game of golf. It’s a sport for one week.”
U.S. Captain’s Picks
Even before the tournament began there was some controversy around U.S. Captain Zach’s Johnson’s picks. How will the LIV Golf tour factor into the Ryder Cup going forward, considering only one player—Koepka—was in the event this year? Johnson overlooked a couple of players that could make a good argument they should have been in Rome, namely Keegan Bradley, Cameron Young, but perhaps most of all, Lucas Glover. Glover had five Top 10 finishes in his last eight starts, including two wins.