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Patrick Cantlay is an American professional golfer who has been ranked in the Top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings. He has won several big tournaments, including the Memorial in 2019 and 2021, the BMW and Tour Championship in 2021, and the Zozo Championship. Despite his success, Cantlay has received criticism for his slow pace of play, with some media coverage focusing on this aspect during the 2023 season. He has also been described as playing uninspiring golf in major championships. However, others have praised his talent, especially his putting skills, and he has shown resilience in the face of adversity. So, is Patrick Cantlay a slow golfer? The evidence suggests that while he may take a measured approach, his pace of play has become a notable topic of discussion within the golfing world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pace of play | Slow |
| Major wins | 2019 Masters |
| Best performance | 2021 BMW Championship |
| Ryder Cup performance | Good |
| Controversies | Not wearing the team hat at the Ryder Cup in Italy |
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What You'll Learn
Patrick Cantlay's slow play style
Patrick Cantlay is an American professional golfer who has been ranked in the Top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings for three years. Despite his success, including winning eight times on the PGA Tour, much of the media coverage of Cantlay has focused on his slow pace of play.
Cantlay's slow play style has been described as "uninspiring" and "joyless", with critics suggesting that he sucks the joy out of watching professional golf. His slow pace has been noted in several tournaments, including the 2023 Masters Tournament and the RBC Heritage, where he finished T14 and third, respectively. Despite his strong results, the media coverage focused on his slow play, with one commentator timing Cantlay at over 5 hours for his round at the Masters.
Cantlay's slow play has been attributed to his meticulous preparation and attention to detail. He is known for his wiggling feet and thousand-yard stare as he takes an extended period to prepare for his shots. This slow style of play has led to criticism from fans and the media, with some suggesting that it detracts from the theatre and excitement of the game.
However, Cantlay's talent and skill as a golfer are undeniable. He has been described as a "killer between the ropes", with his exceptional putting skills allowing him to outlast Bryson DeChambeau at the 2021 BMW Championship. Cantlay has also shown an ability to thrive under pressure, such as at the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he fed off the crowd's negative energy and chants of "Hats off to your bank account", playing excellently during the final sessions of the event.
Cantlay's slow play style is a notable aspect of his game that has drawn both criticism and admiration from fans and commentators. While some may find his methodical approach uninteresting, others recognise his talent and ability to perform under pressure.
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Cantlay's performance in major tournaments
Patrick Cantlay is an American professional golfer with a successful amateur career. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour, including the 2021 FedEx Cup. However, his performance in major tournaments has been less remarkable.
Cantlay has consistently performed well in golf tournaments, winning one or two tournaments each year and achieving numerous top-20 and top-5 finishes. Despite this, he has struggled to produce significant results in major championships. Cantlay has only climbed into contention during a major once: The 2019 Masters, where he eagled the 15th hole but immediately bogeyed the next two holes.
In 2019, Cantlay finished tied for third place at the PGA Championship, behind winner Brooks Koepka. He also won the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, that year, which lifted him into the world top 10 for the first time. Cantlay has represented the United States at the 2011 Walker Cup and played in the 2012 Masters Tournament, where he finished tied for 47th, making him the low amateur.
Cantlay's performance in the 2023 season further highlighted his mixed results in major tournaments. He contended in back-to-back weeks at the Masters Tournament and the RBC Heritage, finishing 14th and third, respectively. While his results were strong, media coverage focused on his slow pace of play. Cantlay also played in the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he went 2-2-0, including a win against Justin Rose.
Despite his lack of major championship wins, Cantlay's talent and consistency are undeniable. He has been ranked in the Top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings for three years and was the number one amateur golfer in the world before turning pro.
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Cantlay's 2023 Ryder Cup performance
Patrick Cantlay represented the United States at the 2023 Ryder Cup, which took place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Rome, Italy. The biennial event was held from 29 September to 1 October 2023.
Cantlay's performance in the tournament was notable for both his golfing prowess and the controversy that surrounded his participation. On the course, Cantlay showcased his skills and contributed to the American team's efforts. He went 2–2–0 in the tournament, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Justin Rose.
However, Cantlay's 2023 Ryder Cup performance was also marked by a dispute regarding his decision to forgo wearing the team hat. This choice sparked speculation that Cantlay was protesting the players' lack of payment for their participation. While Cantlay denied these claims, the incident led to European fans openly mocking him, with chants of "Hats off to your bank account".
Cantlay's response to this taunting showcased his mental fortitude as he channelled the negative energy into his game, playing excellently during the final sessions of the event. His performance on the course, combined with his unflappable attitude in the face of crowd taunts, made him a standout player for the American team.
Despite Cantlay's individual successes, the European team ultimately emerged victorious in the 2023 Ryder Cup, defeating the United States with a final score of 16.5–11.5.
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Cantlay's refusal to wear a team hat
Patrick Cantlay is an American professional golfer who has been ranked in the Top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour, including the 2021 FedEx Cup. However, despite his strong results, Cantlay has also received media attention for his slow pace of play.
In September 2023, Cantlay represented the United States at the Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy. This event sparked controversy due to Cantlay's refusal to wear a team hat, which was allegedly due to a dispute about player compensation. Cantlay denied these claims, stating that the hat did not fit him properly. However, golf journalist Michael Bamberger and other sources confirmed the initial reports of a pay dispute.
The Ryder Cup is run by the PGA of America, and players do not receive direct remuneration for their participation. Instead, they are each given $200,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. Cantlay's alleged protest sparked strong reactions from fans and the media, with European supporters openly mocking him by chanting and singing, "Hats off to your bank account."
Amid the backlash, Cantlay's teammate and friend, Xander Schauffele, offered a different explanation for Cantlay's hatless appearance. Schauffele's father revealed that Cantlay, who was due to marry his partner, Nikki Guidish, the following Monday, did not want to wear a hat to avoid a golfer's tan line in his wedding photos. This justification was supported by Cantlay himself, who denied any issues within the Team USA camp.
The hat controversy fuelled Cantlay's performance during the final sessions of the Ryder Cup. Despite Team USA's struggles, Cantlay and his partner, Wyndham Clark, secured a come-from-behind victory against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, contributing to the team's overall score.
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Cantlay's career trajectory
Patrick Cantlay is an American professional golfer born in Long Beach, California, on March 17, 1992. He had a successful amateur career, winning the California State High School Championship as a senior at Servite High School. Cantlay went on to attend UCLA, where he continued his golfing success, winning four tournaments in his freshman year. He was named the most outstanding college golfer in 2011 and received several other accolades.
In June 2012, Cantlay decided to turn professional, forfeiting his spot at the 2012 Open Championship. He signed with Mark Steinberg and Excel Sports Management Group, the same management as Tiger Woods. Cantlay made his professional debut at the 2012 Travelers Championship but missed the cut. He earned his first professional paycheck at the AT&T National, finishing in a tie for 66th place.
Cantlay's early professional career was marked by a mix of successes and setbacks. He earned his first professional win at the 2013 Colombia Championship and played in the Web.com Tour Finals, earning his PGA Tour card for 2014. However, he experienced injuries that limited his participation in the following seasons. In 2016, Cantlay's caddie and high school teammate, Chris Roth, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Cantlay regained his PGA Tour card in 2017 with a strong finish at the Valspar Championship. He went on to win his first PGA Tour title at the 2017 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Cantlay continued to climb in the rankings, breaking into the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings in 2019. He won the Memorial Tournament in 2019 and finished tied for third place at the PGA Championship. Cantlay represented the United States at the 2019 Presidents Cup, contributing to their victory.
Cantlay's success continued into the early 2020s, with wins at the 2020 Zozo Championship and the 2021 BMW Championship. He also won the 2021 FedEx Cup and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. Despite his strong results, Cantlay has also received media attention for his slow pace of play.
Overall, Patrick Cantlay's career trajectory has been marked by early amateur success, a transition to professional golf in 2012, and a rise to the top of the sport, with several wins and high finishes in major tournaments. Despite criticism for his slow play, Cantlay has established himself as one of the best golfers in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Patrick Cantlay has been criticized for his slow pace of play.
Yes, Patrick Cantlay has played in several major golf championships, including the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open.
No, Patrick Cantlay has not won a major golf championship. His best finish was a tie for 9th place at the Masters in 2019.
Patrick Cantlay has been ranked as high as number 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Patrick Cantlay has won at least six PGA Tour events, including the 2017 Shriners Hospitals For Children Open, the 2019 Memorial, the 2021 BMW Championship, and the Zozo Championship.
