Patrick Cantlay blames 'media narrative' for his role in Ryder Cup money debate

Patrick Cantlay, the man who was teased by European fans during last year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, refused to be drawn into the debate about the possibility of the US players being paid to compete in next year’s contest at Bethpage Black.

Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas all aired their views on the matter in the build up to this week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Patrick Cantlay pictured during the first round of Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas | Kevin C.Cox/Getty Images

Woods said he didn’t see anything wrong with it provided the money went to charity, Scheffler agreed but also said he would pay to play in the biennial contest while Thomas described it as a “touchy subject”.

Cantlay was asked for his thoughts after carding a five-under-par 67 in the opening round of the Woods-hosted event at Albany Golf Course to sit just three behind leader Cameron Young.

“My thoughts on the Ryder Cup are really simple: I'm there to represent my country and I'm there to win points for my team-mates and that's it.”

The former FedEx Cup winner asked if it frustrated him that because of what happened in Rome, where European fans took the mickey out of him after it had been reported that Cantlay wasn’t wearing a hat as a protest about money, some people believed he might be at the centre of players wanting to be paid to play in the 45th edition next September. “I think that's a media narrative and I'm not going to fall into that,” he replied.

It has been reported that the PGA of America is set to pay the US players $400,000 to try and win the trophy back next year.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated on Wednesday in the Bahamas, US captain Keegan Bradley said: “To be honest with you, there’s not much to talk about; these leaks that came out were ... leaks.

“I was shocked to see the leaks, as was the PGA of America. As was everybody involved. There’s been nothing that’s been finalized, done. This is all speculation at this point.

“I was definitely disappointed that someone leaked out that information. That was a shock, for sure.”