US Ryder Cup insider lifts lid on Patrick Cantlay behaviour in team room at Bethpage

Former PGA Tour player Jamie Lovemark has praised Patrick Cantlay for his approach to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. 

Cantlay was accused of leading a split within the team dressing room when the matches were played in Italy two years ago. 

Sky Sports' Jamie Weir reported the golfer wasn't wearing a team cap out of protest for not being compensated. 

The report even claimed Cantlay and his good buddy Xander Schauffele were sitting in a separate area of the team room, accusations that both emphatically denied and laughed off. 

US players were paid for the first time in the history of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Cantlay said he was donating his $200,000 "stipend" to first responders. 

Cantlay endured a mixed Ryder Cup in New York, only delivering 1.5 points for Keegan Bradley's team. 

The 33-year-old partnered Schauffele in the first foursomes session and the pair defeated Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland. 

Cantlay partnered Sam Burns in two fourballs matches and lost one match and tied the other. He was the only US player to lose their Sunday singles match. 

Sweden's Ludvig Aberg delivered a crucial point against Cantlay. 

Cantlay now has an overall record of 6-5-2 over three appearances for the stars and stripes. 

Lovemark, who served as one of vice-captain Brandt Snedeker's assistants, praised Cantlay's approach in a recent podcast with Ryan French aka MondayQInfo. 

"I can't describe what a warrior Patrick is," he said. 

"He played five matches, no complaining. He's tired, it's brutal out there, the team's doing bad, but he was like, 'whatever it takes to win, I'll play with whoever, whatever ball to play with'. 

"As part of the team I guess, I was just so proud of him for being so tough and being such a great team member. Whatever it takes, doesn't matter, I'll play with anybody, any time. That was cool to see."

Lovemark also lifted the lid on the mood in the team room on Sunday evening, minutes after Europe secured a dramatic 15-13 victory. 

Captain Bradley delivered "a great speech", according to Lovemark. 

In the immediate aftermath of defeat, Bradley conceded that he had made mistakes. 

He also complained about the envelope rule which allowed Hovland and Harris English to share a point after the Norwegian was forced to sit out the final day of the Ryder Cup with a neck injury. 

"As you can imagine, mixed emotions," Lovemark said. "Everyone was proud of how hard they fought, they came up just short. It was tough. Everyone was proud of themselves, the way they fought.

"It was a really tall task to come back from that deficit. They were happy, they were positive. 

"Keegan gave a great speech at the end. He thanked everybody and he was so great all week. 

"It was inspiring, motivational. He was all hands on deck for everyone."

Despite the defeat, Bradley is the bookies' favourite to retain the captaincy. 

Luke Donald is also expected to lead Europe again at Adare Manor, Ireland, in 2027. 

Though Francesco Molinari appears to be the front-runner should the Englishman decide not to. 

Tiger Woods, Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Snedeker are all seen by the PGA of America as credible candidates for Team USA. 

Woods turned down the opportunity to captain the 2025 team, citing his role on the PGA Tour's policy board and TGL as taking up too much of his time.