Patrick Cantlay is an absolute menace in Las Vegas. Specifically, at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open where he’s finished 1st, 2nd, 2nd and T-8th the last four years at TPC Summerlin.
Can that translate up the road to Shadow Creek?
I think it could.
The 28-year-old from UCLA has played steady golf in 2020. He’s missed just one cut, made 12 top-50s and five top-12s in 13 starts worldwide.
The knock on Cantlay is the lack of chances at a win. His best finish of the year was in his first start at the Tournament of Champions, a limited field event. His next closest calls were at the Workday Charity Open (T-7th) and last week at the Shriners (63-65-65-73) where he was the 54-hole leader.
A rough Sunday kept him from closing the deal for the first time since the 2019 Memorial Tournament.
That’s why I had him just off the pace at No. 11 this week and now into the top 10 after Dustin Johnson withdrew Tuesday due to a positive COVID-19 test.
The Californian has won twice on the PGA Tour and has slews of high finishes against events with elite fields. Remember when he led late for a minute or two late on Sunday at the 2019 Masters?
Cantlay’s week to week consistency is credited to a solid overall game. Ball striking is his specialty as he was 12th last season in strokes gained tee to green (1.097). Sharp iron play looks to be a key at this year’s CJ Cup. Cantlay was 18th in SG approach (.523).