2023 PGA Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Oak Hill CC
Patrick Cantlay’s an interesting case when it comes to prognosticating major championships. Based on his PGA Tour results, which compose over 90% of the golf he plays in a given year, he’s one of the best players in the world.
He’s an eight-time PGA Tour champion and has won in every calendar year since 2019. These wins are often against better-than-average fields, including two wins at a designated event like the Memorial Tournament, as well as three FedEx Cup Playoff events.
Cantlay was a world-class amateur and has been a mainstay in the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking over the last decade.
Of late, he’s on a streak of eight straight top-25s. He recently took solo third at the RBC Heritage where he was right in the mix with Jordan Spieth and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Aside from a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, Cantlay hasn’t finished worse than T-26th since August.
These credentials have to count for something.
It’s time for the 31-year-old to truly earn his “Patty Ice” nickname and win a major.
Three top-10s in 24 starts isn’t cutting it. To his credit, I’m harboring some optimism after his last three starts in majors: T-14th, T-8th, T-14th.
A surprising Sunday 75 at the Masters kept Cantlay from a top-10, but it was refreshing to see him at least be within five shots entering the final round.
The former UCLA Bruin ranks sixth on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained per round (1.976). He’s machine-like with the driver, ranking third in SG off-the-tee (.903).