Rory McIlroy has shared the part of Patrick Cantlay’s game which always surprises him whenever they are paired together in tournaments.
Patrick Cantlay started the final round at The Genesis Invitational two shots clear at Riviera. However, his lead had evaporated within the first few holes on Sunday.
Few probably expected the American to not win given where he started the final round. But he was often left scrambling to save par on the front nine. He did make the turn in level par for the day, having not made a single bogey or birdie.
Rory McIlroy praises Patrick Cantlay
His first bogey actually came on the tricky 10th as he found a bunker short of the green off the tee. And then he found put himself in another bunker with his second shot.
Just before that drama, Rory McIlroy was asked – in comments broadcast on Sky Sports (18/2; 21:12) – about the 31-year-old’s swing. And he suggested that he hits the ball a lot further than most realise.
“I think Patrick’s one of the best drivers out here. He’s actually sneakily long, but his action doesn’t look like it produces a lot of speed. But every time I play with him, I’m always surprised at how far he does hit it. And when he’s in the groove, there’s no one better off the tee,” he said.
A future major champion
Cantlay definitely appears to have the game to take that next step and become a major champion in the near future. In fact, it is something of a surprise that he has not lifted one of golf’s biggest prizes already.
McIlroy knows better than most what an incredible competitor Cantlay can be after their dramatic battle at last year’s Ryder Cup in Italy.
And in today’s game, it is imperative that a player hits the ball a long way if they are going to really compete.
But clearly, McIlroy thinks Cantlay can definitely compete with the best of them off the tee.
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