Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Patrick Cantlay

How Patrick Cantlay built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Patrick Cantlay is a highly accomplished American professional golfer. Prior to turning pro, he distinguished himself as the world's top-ranked amateur golfer for an impressive 55 weeks. Since joining the PGA Tour, Cantlay has secured eight victories, showcasing his skill and consistency at the highest level of the sport. His most significant achievement to date is winning the prestigious 2021 FedEx Cup, solidifying his position among the elite golfers in the world.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 23, 2011: World Number 1 Ranking

On March 23, 2011, Patrick Cantlay became the world number 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

2011: Successful Amateur Career

In 2011, Patrick Cantlay qualified for the U.S. Open, finished as low amateur, shot a course record 60 at the Travelers Championship, finished as low amateur at the AT&T National, won the Southern California Amateur, and was low amateur at the RBC Canadian Open.

2011: Walker Cup Representation

In 2011, Patrick Cantlay represented the United States at the Walker Cup, posting a 2–1–1 record.

2011: College Golf Awards

In 2011, during his freshman year at UCLA, Patrick Cantlay won four tournaments, the Haskins Award, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year, the Phil Mickelson Award as the GCAA National Freshman of the Year, and was named Pac-10 Player and Freshman of the Year. He also won the Mark H. McCormack Medal.

June 2012: Turns Professional

In June 2012, Patrick Cantlay turned professional, forgoing his final two years of college and forfeiting his spot at the 2012 Open Championship. He signed with Mark Steinberg and Excel Sports Management Group.

2012: U.S. Amateur Final and Masters Tournament

In 2012, Patrick Cantlay lost in the final of the U.S. Amateur and finished as low amateur at the Masters Tournament, tying for 47th place.

2012: Invitation to Open Championship

In 2012, Patrick Cantlay's Mark H. McCormack Medal win earned him an invitation to the Open Championship.

2013: First Professional Win

In 2013, Patrick Cantlay earned his first professional win at the Colombia Championship on the Web.com Tour and earned his PGA Tour card for 2014.

2016: Record Eclipsed

In 2016, Jon Rahm surpassed Patrick Cantlay's record for most total weeks at number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

November 5, 2017: First PGA Tour Title

On November 5, 2017, Patrick Cantlay won his first PGA Tour title at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

2017: Medical Extension

As of the start of the 2017 season, Patrick Cantlay had ten starts remaining on his medical extension.

2017: Regained PGA Tour Card

In 2017, Patrick Cantlay regained his PGA Tour card with a runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship, followed by strong finishes at other tournaments, allowing him to qualify to the Tour Championship.

November 4, 2018: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Runner-up

On November 4, 2018, Patrick Cantlay finished second at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, narrowly missing the chance to defend his title.

2018: Securing Tour Card

In 2018, it was the second consecutive year in which Patrick Cantlay's second start of the season secured his Tour card for the following season.

October 2019: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Playoff Loss

In October 2019, Patrick Cantlay lost in a playoff to Kevin Na at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

2019: PGA Championship and Memorial Tournament

In 2019, Patrick Cantlay tied for third at the PGA Championship and won the Memorial Tournament, elevating him into the world top-10 for the first time.

October 2020: Zozo Championship Win

In October 2020, Patrick Cantlay won the Zozo Championship at Sherwood Country Club in California, relocated from Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 2021: The American Express

In January 2021, Patrick Cantlay finished second at The American Express after firing twenty birdies over the weekend, including in a 11-under-par final round 61, being edged out by a single stroke by Kim Si-woo.

August 29, 2021: BMW Championship Victory

On August 29, 2021, Patrick Cantlay won the BMW Championship after defeating Bryson DeChambeau in a sudden-death playoff.

September 5, 2021: Tour Championship and FedEx Cup Win

On September 5, 2021, Patrick Cantlay won the Tour Championship, securing the FedEx Cup and a $15,000,000 bonus. He was also voted the PGA Tour Player of the Year.

September 2021: Ryder Cup Participation

In September 2021, Patrick Cantlay played on the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup, achieving a record of three wins and one tie.

2021: Cantlay Wins FedEx Cup

In 2021, Patrick Cantlay won the FedEx Cup, marking a significant achievement in his professional golf career.

August 2022: BMW Championship Title Defense

In August 2022, Patrick Cantlay successfully defended his title at the BMW Championship.

2022: Presidents Cup Qualification

In 2022, Patrick Cantlay qualified for the U.S. team at the Presidents Cup, achieving a record of three wins and one loss.

September 2023: Ryder Cup Controversy

In September 2023, Patrick Cantlay played on the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup, where the European team won. Cantlay went 2-2-0. He was allegedly involved in a controversy regarding payment for players, which he denied. This led to European fans mocking him.

2023: Masters and RBC Heritage

Early in the 2023 season, Patrick Cantlay contended in back-to-back weeks at the Masters Tournament and the RBC Heritage, finishing T14 and third, respectively. Much of the media coverage focused on his slow pace of play.