Saturday: A Day of Surprises and Drama
Saturday at the 2023 Ryder Cup will forever be remembered as one of the most bizarre days in professional golf. The morning session saw European dominance on the course, but the afternoon session witnessed an incredible American comeback. However, the day was not without its controversies, as a [controversial report](https://golf.com/news/patrick-cantlay-hatgate-ryder-cup-lacava-mcilroy/) about a “fractured” U.S. team room made headlines. The high-stakes match between the teams took an unexpected turn when Patrick Cantlay appeared on the 18th green without his team hat, leading to further chaos that even spilled into the parking lot after the final match.
Patrick Cantlay’s Stand for Ryder Cup Players
The focus of the controversy centered around Patrick Cantlay, who reportedly refused to wear the team hat as a protest against Ryder Cup players not being paid. Although Cantlay and his teammates and captains [strongly denied these allegations](https://golf.com/news/patrick-cantlay-speaks-ryder-cup-liv-pga-tour/), the events of Saturday’s Ryder Cup left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
An Unexpected Partnership and a Game of Money
One of the players who had a front-row seat to the events of that crazy week was Wyndham Clark, who won the 2023 U.S. Open. Clark teamed up with Patrick Cantlay for their fourballs match against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick on that fateful Saturday afternoon.
Clark had anticipated playing with Max Homa in the afternoon session, as they had earned a half point together in Friday’s fourballs session. However, Captain’s decision took him by surprise.
“[Captains] go, ‘Hey, you are playing with Pat,’” Clark revealed during a recent interview on the Subpar podcast. He acknowledged that something seemed off with Cantlay during their warm-up on the range. Determined to boost their team’s spirit, Clark came up with an idea to reignite their mojo.
“Hey Pat, I’ve played money games with you, and you are literally the _best_ in money games. I’ve never taken money from you. I’ve shot seven under, and you shot 10 under. It doesn’t matter, you beat me in money games,” Clark told Cantlay, hoping to motivate him. “So I said, ‘First one to five birdies is for $5,000. Every birdie after that is another thousand. I hope you take me for all the money I got.’ And he goes, ‘Alright, I like that.’ And Joe LaCava looked at me and goes, ‘Nice job.’”
A Thrilling Finish and a Victory for Cantlay
As they walked to the first tee, Clark reminded Cantlay of their money game. Cantlay acknowledged the challenge, expressing his doubts about their chances of winning it.
“I turned to [my caddie] John [Ellis] and said, ‘We are about to lose 10 Gs,’” Cantlay humorously exclaimed.
In a match dominated by European chants mocking Cantlay, McIlroy and Fitzpatrick maintained a 1-up lead after 14 holes. However, Cantlay found his rhythm and managed to close the match with three consecutive birdies on holes 16, 17, and 18. These final two birdies secured the holes for their team, resulting in a thrilling 1-up victory for Cantlay and Clark.
“He birdied 16 and he kind of smiled at me…then he birdied 17, and then we get to 18 — you could kind of tell he was back in the zone again,” Clark recounted with awe. “I look back at it, and I’m like, Man, is he really going to make this one? And sure enough.”
A Price to Pay
While Clark and Cantlay celebrated their hard-fought victory, Clark had an unexpected outcome to face. “I still owe him money,” Clark admitted, highlighting the financial loss he incurred due to Cantlay’s birdie streak.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What happened during Saturday’s Ryder Cup?
Saturday’s Ryder Cup witnessed a series of unexpected events, including European dominance in the morning followed by a remarkable American comeback in the afternoon session. Controversies between the teams, a “fractured” U.S. team room, and a hatless Patrick Cantlay became the talk of the tournament. The day concluded with a thrilling final match that ended with fireworks and chaos, even spilling into the parking lot.
What was the controversy surrounding Patrick Cantlay?
Patrick Cantlay was at the center of a controversial report during the Ryder Cup. The report suggested that Cantlay’s refusal to wear a team hat was a protest against Ryder Cup players not being paid. However, Cantlay and his teammates and captains vehemently denied these allegations, indicating a different narrative than what was initially reported.
How did Wyndham Clark motivate Patrick Cantlay?
Wyndham Clark, Cantlay’s partner in their fourballs match, recognized the need for a morale boost in their team. Clark proposed a friendly money game, challenging Cantlay to a competition of birdies. The first player to score five birdies would win $5,000, with every additional birdie earning them another $1,000. Clark’s strategy aimed to utilize Cantlay’s excellent performance in money games as motivation for a strong comeback.
How did the match between Clark and Cantlay unfold?
Initially trailing by one, Clark and Cantlay’s match against McIlroy and Fitzpatrick seemed challenging. The European chants mocking Cantlay further intensified the pressure. However, Cantlay showcased his exceptional skills, proceeding to birdie holes 16, 17, and 18. These crucial birdies secured victory for their team, with the match concluding with a score of 1 up. Cantlay’s stellar performance left a lasting impression on Clark, despite Clark’s own financial loss to his teammate.
Where can I listen to the complete interview with Wyndham Clark?
The complete interview with Wyndham Clark is available on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1QuNDv2FTjSrVh2lqGtJJR) and can also be watched below on YouTube.
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