Brian Harman Shames Rory McIlroy With Sharp ‘Mr. Europe’ Jab as Old Wounds Get Reopened

A golfer knows the hardships that another golfer goes through, be it getting unnecessary attention, or going through the pain of losing your major by 1 stroke. Rory McIlroy knows both after what happened with him at Pinehurst this year. Brian Harman understood what McIlroy was going through, and how we might have been having a hard time processing all of it in public light. 

This is why when Northern Irishman was set to play at Royal Troon, Harman said in the pre-tournament presser, “I can’t imagine being Rory. Rory would have trouble going out to eat somewhere. Yeah, that’s a part of this gig that’s probably been the hardest adjustment is not having enough of your own time, I guess you could say, to where it’s hard to escape it sometimes.” But was the 2023 Open winner’s sympathy short-lived? 

Rory McIlroy not wearing a hat is okay, but Patrick Cantlay doing the same is not, says Brian Harman 

Brian Harman recently sat down for an episode of ForePlay Podcast and spoke about many things, the 2023 Ryder Cup obviously made its way into the discussion. The interviewer pointed out being present at Marco Simone for the showdown’s final day and mentioned the hostility he could feel in the air. 

It was hostile. Patriotic showdowns are especially on the last days, but there was another element that made things a bit more stressful that day; the infamous Hatgate controversy. The European fans were booing the American squad as Patrick Cantlay allegedly refused to wear the hat as a form of protest for lack of monetary compensation at the Ryder Cup. 

Chiming into the discussion, the 1x major winner regarded the entire thing as a joke. “The hat stuff that what a joke. It was a joke..Rory doesn’t wear a hat in any Ryder Cup and he’s Mr. Europe, and Pat takes his hat off and they think that’s ridiculous.” The entire thing seem to be more silly to the golfer now, especially after the brutal loss they faced at the hands of the European team. 

When Rory McIlroy arrived with his European squad in Italy for the tournament last year, he was not wearing the hat. In 2016, when a fan asked him why he did not wear the hat that year while competing in the Ryder Cup, he revealed hilariously, “I’ve a pea head and the hats were way too big for me!” In 2021 too, he shed light on the same topic, “My head is so small that I have to get Nike to make me custom hats,” McIlroy told PGATour’s Sean Martin. “So whenever I’m in a team event and the hats aren’t custom, they’re all too big.” We hear you, McIlroy! 

Harman pointed out it is okay if Rory McIlroy does not wear a hat, but if Cantlay does the same thing, it becomes an issue. Something to think about, we guess? Well, kind of. Last year, Patrick Cantlay not wearing a hat became the talk of the town. To say that it made headlines is really an understatement.

What happened in the American dressing room at the 2023 Ryder Cup? 

So, it all began on the second day of the competition when the report by Sky Sports claiming some tension in the American dressing room broke the internet. It was reported that a few players on the team felt that they should be paid, and as a protest, Cantlay refused to wear his hat. It was later reported by the golfer’s manager that he is not wearing anything on his head is that he could not find the hat that fits him well.

The European fans ridiculed the American golfers by waving their hats in the air. Cantlay redeemed himself as he won against McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick in the Saturday afternoon fourball session. McIlroy then needed to birdie putt the hole to half the match, but he failed. Obviously, the Northern Irishman was not happy, and he voiced his anger at Joe LaCava, Cantlay’s bagman, who apparently celebrated for too long, and was in McIlroy’s line of shot. 

Both parties, however, apologized later and cleared the air. Sometime later, McIlroy voiced that his relationship with Patrick Cantlay is “average at best” but the two have worked closely on the PGA Tour Policy Board, as claimed by the latter. 

In the end, Europe won after scoring 16.5 points. Cantlay claimed a 2&1 victory, and McIlroy became Europe’s top point scorer. What are your thoughts on Brian Harman’s remarks on the entire Hatgate controversy? Do you agree with him?