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2021 Open Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Royal St. George’s

By Mike Randleman

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Detail View of Claret Jug Open signage during the first round of the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, 2018 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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Jun 18, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Patrick Cantlay follows his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Patrick Cantlay follows his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The FedEx Cup standings leader is taking his talents across the pond. Patrick Cantlay is having a stellar 2020-21 campaign on the PGA Tour. He’s got wins at the Zozo Championship and the Memorial Tournament. The Memorial deserves an asterisk due to the Jon Rahm scenario, but that shouldn’t take away from the great golf Cantlay continued at Muirfield Village.

The former UCLA Bruin also has a solo second in 2021 at The American Express and T-3rd at Pebble Beach. Cantlay struggled in spots this spring, but he arrives to England on a streak of four straight top-23 finishes.

His last outing was three weeks ago at the Travelers Championship (T-13th).

The 29-year-old is among the top names without a major. That’s not to say he hasn’t played well in the big four events.

Cantlay is 16-for-18 making the cut in the majors with a pair of top-10s and eight top-25s. At the Open Championship, he’s 2-for-2 led by T-12th in 2018.

He’s one of the game’s top ball strikers and should handle the wind well if his game’s sharp. Cantlay ranks fourth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green (1.505) and does not have a let down between the driver and irons.

His .418 SG around the green ranks ninth and his weak spot, so to speak, putting, is still a healthy 53rd in SG (.278).

Cantlay is also a respectable 42nd in sand saves (55.84%) and 20th in approach proximity from 175-200 yards (31’6”).

This is far from a flashy player. He’s easy to lose track of when assessing favorites this week, but Cantlay has a good chance to be right there at Royal St. George’s.

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