Tensions Flare at Pinehurst No. 2: Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay Play Final Round of U.S. Open in Silence

As the final round of the 2024 U.S. Open kicked off at Pinehurst No. 2, all eyes were on the pairing of Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay. Both three shots behind the leader Bryson DeChambeau, the two golfers were in contention for a meaningful major win.

McIlroy, the World No. 3, has been on a decade-long major drought after his early career dominance, while Cantlay has never clinched a major victory, with limited success in the past.

However, beyond the golfing ambitions, the spotlight was on the tension between McIlroy and Cantlay. The beef between them traces back to the 2023 Ryder Cup, where a clash between the players intensified into verbal exchanges off the course, involving players like Brooks Koepka and caddies like Joe LaCava and Jim “Bones” Mackay.

Their feud extended beyond the Ryder Cup, with both being involved in the PGA Tour‘s policy board and the discussion around the LIV Golf merger with the Public Investment Fund.

Despite post-Ryder Cup attempts at mending ties, the relationship between McIlroy and Cantlay remained strained, hinting at potential on-course tensions.

As the final round unfolded, the Pinehurst atmosphere was laden with the weight of the rivalry between the two golfers. However, the on-course interaction between McIlroy and Cantlay remained minimal, with communication restricted to essential clarifications.

Observers speculated if Cantlay’s slow pace of play, a notable trait of his game, would ruffle McIlroy’s composure. However, both players maintained focus amidst the pressure of the U.S. Open, treating each other with professional detachment.

While the possibility of a dramatic showdown between the two adversaries lingered, the final round at Pinehurst painted a picture of two professionals navigating a high-stress situation, prioritizing their game over personal animosities.