Rory McIlroy's Hilarious Imitation of Patrick Cantlay Goes Viral
A recently surfaced online video has captured Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy playfully mocking Patrick Cantlay's distinctive pre-shot routine. The clip, which emerged months after Team Europe's successful defense of the Ryder Cup title against the USA, shows the four-time major champion attempting to imitate Cantlay's leg movements while preparing to hit a ball.
Details of the Viral Moment
The video was originally posted by Instagram user Mike Manning and features Cantlay warming up before teeing off at the Ryder Cup 2025, held at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York from September 26 to 28. As Cantlay goes through his routine, McIlroy can be seen in the background mimicking the American golfer's actions, much to the amusement of some viewers.
Reactions to the clip have been divided among fans and online audiences. While many found McIlroy's imitation hilarious and lighthearted, others questioned the appropriateness of the gesture, especially given the intense atmosphere of the Ryder Cup competition.
Understanding Cantlay's Pre-Shot Routine
Fellow PGA Tour professional Michael Kim provided context for Cantlay's distinctive movements, explaining that the routine stems from the American golfer's efforts to manage back pressure following a significant injury early in his career. "He does it trying to put less pressure on his back since having a really bad back injury early in his career," Kim wrote, offering insight into what might otherwise appear as an unusual preparation method.
Ryder Cup 2025 Performance and Context
The 2025 Ryder Cup saw Team Europe successfully defend their championship title with a 15–13 victory over the hosts. Both McIlroy and Cantlay had comparable performances during the event, each finishing with a 1-3-1 record for the week.
McIlroy proved to be one of Europe's standout performers, earning 3.5 points in five matches with a scoreline of 3–1–1. In contrast, Cantlay managed just 1.5 points from his five appearances, ranking as the fifth-best player for Team USA during a tournament where the hosts ultimately fell short.
Complete Ryder Cup 2025 Player Performances
Team Europe:
- Tommy Fleetwood: 4 points (4–1–0)
- Tyrrell Hatton: 3.5 points (3–0–1)
- Rory McIlroy: 3.5 points (3–1–1)
- Jon Rahm: 3 points (3–2–0)
- Matt Fitzpatrick: 2.5 points (2–1–1)
- Ludvig Åberg: 2 points (2–2–0)
- Shane Lowry: 2 points (1–0–2)
- Justin Rose: 2 points (2–1–0)
- Viktor Hovland: 1.5 points (1–1–1)
- Robert MacIntyre: 1.5 points (1–1–1)
- Sepp Straka: 1 point (1–2–0)
- Rasmus Højgaard: 0 points (0–2–0)
Team USA:
- Xander Schauffele: 3 points (3–1–0)
- Cameron Young: 3 points (3–1–0)
- J. J. Spaun: 2 points (2–1–0)
- Justin Thomas: 2 points (2–2–0)
- Patrick Cantlay: 1.5 points (1–3–1)
- Bryson DeChambeau: 1.5 points (1–3–1)
- Sam Burns: 1 point (0–1–2)
- Ben Griffin: 1 point (1–1–0)
- Scottie Scheffler: 1 point (1–4–0)
- Harris English: 0.5 points (0–2–1)
- Russell Henley: 0.5 points (0–2–1)
- Collin Morikawa: 0.5 points (0–2–1)
The Bigger Picture in Elite Sports
This resurfaced clip underscores how moments of humor and casual interaction between competitors can quickly become talking points in the high-stakes world of professional golf. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and evaluation that elite athletes face, with their actions being analyzed long after competition concludes.
The Ryder Cup continues to generate drama both on and off the course, with this viral moment serving as a reminder that even in the heat of intense rivalry, human moments of levity can emerge—though they often come with their own interpretations and controversies in the age of social media.
