Although Patrick Cantlay remained winless in the 2022/2023 season, he consistently delivered performances at the highest level and is in the top 5 of the world rankings. With this performance, he will be an important component of Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup. He already gained his first experience at the continental competition in 2021 and achieved a remarkable record of 3-0-1 (win-loss-draw).
Patrick Cantlay at the 2023 Ryder Cup
After Scottie Scheffler as number 1 in the world, Patrick Cantlay is the second US American to appear in the official golf world rankings. With a consistently convincing performance over the course of the season, the 31-year-old climbed up to 4th place in the meantime over the past weeks and months. In doing so, he earned one of the six team places that are automatically awarded and did not have to rely on the favor of team captain Zach Johnson.
Although Patrick Cantlay is not among the winners of the 2022/2023 season, his record over the last few months is impressive. The American, who has a German father, has made the cut in 18 of the 20 events he has played and has finished in the top 25 15 times. These top finishes include three of his four major starts: with two tied 14th places and one tied ninth place, he proved his ability in what are probably the best tournaments of the year. Thanks to these consistent results, Patrick Cantlay enters the competition as a safe bet.
Patrick Cantlay has not yet allowed himself a lapse at the Ryder Cup
This will be Patrick Cantlay’s second appearance at the Ryder Cup. In 2021, he made his debut at the popular event and actively supported Team USA on its way to victory. With three wins and a draw in four rounds played, he collected 3.5 important points for his team. Cantlay did not suffer a defeat.
The then 29-year-old scored his first point as a duo with his friend and teammate Xander Schauffele. After 15 holes played, they beat Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter in the Foursome. This was followed by a draw in the Fourball against the European competition consisting of Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland. In Saturday’s Foursome, the Cantlay/Schauffele duo was again victorious – this time against Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick. Cantlay also showed strength in his final round, the singles competition, scoring his third full point for Team USA against Shane Lowry.
Patrick Cantlay’s most remarkable career
Born in California as one of four children, Patrick Cantlay developed into a promising golf talent during his childhood and youth. After a successful amateur career, he was ranked No. 1 in the world for over a year, he turned professional in 2012 after dropping out of college. Here, over time, he became a dangerous competitor, diligently collecting victories and now has eight PGA Tour successes to his credit. Even as an amateur, he gained his first experience in team competitions with his participation in the Palmer and Walker Cups and has already been part of the Presidents Cup twice. The earnings of his entire golf career now amount to over 42 million US dollars.
Ryder Cup 2023: A look inside Patrick Cantlay’s golf bag
Like his Team USA colleagues Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay relies on Titleist. With the driver and the 5-wood of the TS series, he gets the predecessor variant of the new TSR models into his bag. His long game is complemented by the 915F 3-wood from 2015 and the brand-new T200 Driving Iron from Titleist’s 2023 T-Series. For irons, Cantlay relies on the 2017 AP2 irons from Titleist’s 718 Series. With a few tweaks, the irons impressed with their sporty cavity-back design and the precision Tour players crave when they were launched six years ago. When it comes to wedges, Cantlay also brings Titleist’s popular classic into the bag. With the Vokey Spin Milled 7 wedge in 46-degree and 52-degree versions, as well as the Vokey Spin Milled 9 wedge with 57- and 61-degree slopes, he has four all-rounders in his bag. Finally, Cantlay is on the greens with a Scotty Cameron T5 prototype. His playing ball is the Pro V1x, the same model used by many of his teammates.