Ryder Cup star at centre of Team USA 'civil war' suffers ultimate irony
Patrick Cantlay has been dropped by his lucrative hat sponsor Goldman Sachs, less than two months after reportedly refusing to wear a cap at the Ryder Cup in protest of not being paid to compete.
Cantlay proved to be the pantomime villain at the recent Ryder Cup battle in Rome, as the Europeans defeated the United States 16.5-11.5 at Marco Simone. It was a week to forget on and off the course for the Americans, after it was reported by Sky Sports that there had been a 'split' in the U.S. locker room led by Cantlay.
It was alleged that the former FedEx Cup champion had left the away team camp 'fractured' thanks to his frustrations on not being paid to represent his nation, which led to his refusal to wear a cap.
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As the dust had started to settle on Cantlay's controversies, the American has found himself at the centre of a headwear saga again after Goldman Sachs confirmed they had ended their relationship with him. In a statement to the New York Times, a spokesperson from the bank said: "We constantly evaluate the firm’s partnerships, and at this time, our logo will no longer appear on his [Cantlay] hat."
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Cantlay had sported the Goldman Sachs logo on his cap for three years, with their relationship beginning back in 2020. For the banking firm it proved to be a first, as the Team USA Ryder Cup star became the first golfer to be sponsored by Goldman Sachs' in their 154-year history.
It remains unknown whether the eight-time PGA Tour winner's Ryder Cup Ryder Cup drama had anything to do with the ending of his Goldman Sachs relationship. Cantlay and the American setup were quick to play down any fallout within their camp in Italy, but the 31-year-old did refuse to comment on the pay row.
Patrick Cantlay's sponsorship deal with Goldman Sachs has come to an end (Getty Images)Asked if he felt players should be paid to compete at the Ryder Cup whilst in Rome he responded: "It's not about that. It's just about Team USA and representing our country," pressed on answer the world No. 5 then added: "That's all I've got to say about that."
Cantlay's Ryder Cup partner and close friend Xander Schauffele also found himself embroiled in the pay row, after his dad Stefan addressed the issue in an explosive interview with The Times. "The PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe need to be more transparent and disclose how this money from the Ryder Cup is being distributed, Schauffele Sr said.
“They are using players’ intellectual properties to make money and the American players don’t get paid,” he added. “More importantly, this would become a non-issue if all proceeds, net proceeds, from the Ryder Cup were to be donated to common charitable causes.
"Right now, the American players are asked to donate their time pro-bono in the name of patriotism so these organisations can benefit from the profits.” Both Cantlay and Schauffele opted to cut their seasons short earlier this week, after it was announced they had withdrawn from the upcoming Hero World Challenge which will play host to Tiger Woods' PGA Tour return.
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