Amid the speculation of his protest in the past edition of the Ryder Cup, Patrick Cantlay again faces the same outburst from fans after the practice round photos were released. However, unlike the 2023 Ryder Cup, this time he was called out for monetary benefit. It had been just days after Patrick Reed mocked the team about getting paid for Ryder Cup participation, and not the golfer mocked by fans for his move.

Ryder Cup USA on X shared a post with Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele at the practice session. But what left the fans shocked was that all four players were wearing hats during the practice round. In the last Ryder Cup, Cantlay and Schauffele were spotted having a discussion separately in the locker room, and neither of them was wearing a hat. Not just that, but for Cantlay, his aim of not wearing was precise.

According to GolfWRX, the golfer refused to wear a hat because the players were not paid for participating in the Ryder Cup.

Michael Bamberger reported that Cantlay said, “I’ll wear a hat when I’m paid to be here like he is.”

Further, he gestured towards a PGA of America PR executive, Julius Mason. The quote in 2023 started an outrage as both Cantlay and Schauffele were not wearing hats during the Ryder Cup 2023.

During the tournament, the fans mocked him with “Hats off for your bank account” rhythm chanting while he was playing. However, he tried damage control later in 2024.

During the Presidents Cup, he was wearing a hat, and, defying the claim, even he shared a clarification. Patrick Cantlay, for not wearing a hat at the Ryder Cup, said, “The hat doesn’t fit.” In further speculation, it was found out that the golfer was getting married after the Ryder Cup and didn’t want a bad tan for photos. Well, despite all that, the efforts went to waste as he got salt in his old wounds with the new paycheck.

A few days ago, the update for Team USA’s paycheck was shared by the PGA of America. The participant will get $500,000 paycheck, out of which $300,000 goes strictly to charity, while the rest will be the player’s stipend. Now, with that move and Cantlay wearing a hat, fans have joined together to mock the golfer.

Fans mocking Patrick Cantlay’s hat

The perception created in 2023 that he needed a monetary benefit for wearing a hat is not satisfied, according to fans, which is what has led them to think this way.

One fan wrote, “Ah, Cantlay and Xander showed up! I guess they got paid what they were asking for the last time.” Even though both golfers have denied protesting against the pay, their decision to wear hats during practice sessions now leads the golf world to assume that their demands for compensation have been fulfilled. And that is the reason behind the two wearing hats.

More netizens joined in writing, “Will Cantlay take his hat off? Might give us the upper hand. Guy just knows how to bring the juice,” and “Those hats are gas.” The fans are talking on the same line as Cantlay did in 2023. His gesture of not wearing a hat was assumed to be a protest against pay. However, for that, he said, “everyone would know what I’m protesting, why I’m protesting, and how I’m protesting.” But now the photos have left fans stunned.

Another mockingly wrote, “Have you paid them first?” After the payment was approved in December 2024, the players were offered $200,000 as a stipend, while the remaining $300,000 will be given to charity. But the timeline of payment was not shared. However, watching the two players wearing hats, the fan is mocking if the payment was in advance.

Even others wrote with the same thoughts: “Pat in the hat?👀,” and “getting paid = wears a cap #RyderCup.” The speculation and shock continued for fans as the two most rebellious players of Team USA were seen changing their stance just after the monetary angle became involved in 2025.

Is it really the monetary angle? Or did Cantlay stand with his stance of 2024? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.