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Patrick Cantlay: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?

By Tim Letcher

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Patrick Cantlay of the United States reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Patrick Cantlay of the United States reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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After overcoming injuries, Patrick Cantlay seems to have his game back. Can he challenge the game’s best and win the FedEx Cup?

With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 5, Patrick Cantlay.

Best career FedEx Cup finish: Cantlay has made three appearances in the Tour Championship in his career. His best finish came in 2018, when he was 20th. He was also 21st in 2019 and 29th in 2017. Last season, he slipped back a bit, finishing in 34th place.

So far this season: The 2020-21 season has already been very good to Cantlay. He has made five starts and has made the cut in all five of those events.

His season started at the U.S. Open. Cantlay shot a 70 on day one of the event, then 76 on Friday to barely make the cut. He had a 76 on Saturday and 73 on Sunday to shoot 15-over par and finish in a tie for 43rd place.

Three weeks later, Cantlay returned to action at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He opened play there with a 63 on Thursday and followed that with a 65 on Friday. Cantlay shot another 65 on Saturday and took the lead with 18 holes to play. But his 73 on Sunday dropped him into a tie for eighth. Yes, it was a Top 10, but it could have been much better.

Cantlay played the next week at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. He opened play there with a 71 on Thursday and had a 72 on Friday. He shot 74 on Saturday but a 67 on Sunday allowed him to jump into a tie for 38th place.

It was the next week when Cantlay showed just how good he can be.

At the Zozo Championship at Sherwood Country Club, Cantlay opened with a 67 on Thursday and a 65 on Friday. He trailed Justin Thomas by two shots with 36 holes to play.

Cantlay shot 68 on Saturday and entered the final round in fourth place. He would have to hunt down both Thomas and Jon Rahm to win. And that’s exactly what he did. Cantlay shot a 65 in the final round to claim his third PGA Tour victory.

His final start of 2020 came at the Masters. There, Cantlay opened with rounds of 70 and 66 but followed that with rounds of 73 and 72 to finish in a tie for 17th.

The verdict: Cantlay has proven that he can win against anyone. The talent is certainly there. He’s a contender for the 2021 FedEx Cup.

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