DETROIT – Patrick Cantlay has his eye on the prize.
At No. 6 in the FedEx Cup point standings, he’s well positioned with just two regular-season events remaining before the start of the three-event playoffs to become the first player to repeat as FedEx Cup champion.
“That’s the goal now,” he said. “Now that the majors are done with for the year, that’s the biggest prize left on the schedule.”
Cantlay could make a leap up the rankings with a victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club, where he is set to make his tournament debut. Cantlay has two wins on the PGA Tour when making his tournament debut (2017 Shriners Children’s Open, 2020 Zozo Championship). He’s coming into Motown hot, having tied for eighth at the British Open two weeks ago, and having recorded five straight top-15 finishes.
“I’ve been trying to double down on the process that got me to where I am, not change a whole lot and just look for small incremental improvements and I think the consistent play I’ve had this year is a testament to that,” he said.
He’s also lost two playoffs this season, so he could potentially have three victories already under his belt if things had fallen in his favor.
“Golf is very interesting in that a week or two weeks could change the whole trajectory of your year,” he said. “You’re only two wins in a row from being the hottest player on the planet.”
He should know. That’s basically what he did last year, edging Bryson DeChambeau in a dramatic six-hole playoff at the BMW Championship before claiming the Tour Championship the following week. At No. 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking, he’s the top-ranked player in the field. Cantlay noted that if he plays through the Tour Championship in Atlanta, it will be six events in an eight-week stretch for him.
“Which is a lot for me,” he said.
Cantlay’s name also continues to be bandied about among the next batch of Tour stars who could potentially bolt for LIV Golf and lucrative guaranteed contracts. Asked if it bothers him be the subject of such speculation, he said, “Not really. I don’t take too much stock in outside noise.”
Did he want to dispel any of the rumors?
“What rumors are you hearing,” he asked.
When told that he was reportedly planning to bolt to LIV after the FedEx Cup, Cantlay replied, “I don’t have any plans at the moment to leave after the FedEx Cup.”
Nor does he seem to have any plans at the moment for relinquishing the FedEx Cup title without a fight.
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