Tiger Woods breaks silence on Ryder Cup pay row which led to ‘split’ in US team

Patrick Cantlay found himself at the centre of controversy at September’s Ryder Cup in Rome, and Tiger Woods has had his say on the reported rift in the American camp

Tiger Woods has played down any fallout within the United States Ryder Cup setup, after it was alleged that Patrick Cantlay left the locker room ‘fractured’ over not being paid to compete.

The Americans lost their Ryder Cup crown in Rome last month, as the home team secured an emphatic 16.5-11.5 victory over their rivals on home soil. It proved to be a week to forget on and off the course for the US team, with Sky Sports reporting that Zach Johnson’s 12-man team had been ‘split’ by Cantlay.

Cantlay went on to compete across the three days without wearing a cap, an aspect the report claimed was done in protest over he and his teammates not being paid by the PGA of America to represent their nation.

‘Cap-gate’ quickly transpired across Marco Simone on day two of the event, with the European crowd goading the American by waving their hats in the air and in his direction. Woods was not involved in this year’s edition of the matchplay event, having been in recovery for an ankle injury he sustained at the Masters in April.

Six months on he is returning at this week’s Hero World Challenge, and ahead of the tournament was asked to give his thoughts on the alleged row. “Well, what transpired there, it was media, it was just noise,” the 82-time PGA Tour winner commented.

“Then the — obviously the fact that everyone now carries a mobile device and that was able to spread. You’re on — you’re not on home soil, so any time someone — they’re going to try to get in your head and that’s what they tried to do.

“I totally get it. Emotions. We all want to win. You have a home side and opposing side, you’re going to get heat and that’s what happened.” Woods was then pushed on whether players should be paid to compete at the Ryder Cup, to which he responded: “That wasn’t an issue.”

On the back of the reports Cantlay himself was questioned on why he was refusing to wear a hat whilst competing in Rome. “The hat doesn’t fit. It didn’t fit at Whistling Straits, and didn’t fit this week. Everyone knows that.” Continuing to play down the rumours, he added: “This is the first I heard of it right when I got off the green.

That is the uttermost thing from reality. He was anyway proceeded whether he accepts he ought to get installment to contend, a case he would not deny: “There’s no need to focus on that” the 31-year-old answered. It’s just about Group USA and addressing our country…

“That is all I must say regarding that.” Cantlay was set to contend close by Woods at the Legend World Test in the Bahamas, however the previous FedEx Cup champion selected to haul out of the occasion close by dear companion Xander Schauffele.