Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay
By Matthew Vicelja

Golf is the most humbling of sports. Even the world’s best athletes have their abilities tested when they’re handed a bent stick and a little white ball that they must drive down a narrow fairway and into a tiny cup. As an avid fan with an unfortunate 20 handicap, I have tremendous respect for top tier players who consistently make the game appear effortless.

Players like Tiger Woods & Phil Michelson are well-known to even those who may not follow the sport closely. In my circle, however, Patrick Cantlay is the big name in the game. The twenty-year-old Cantlay may not be a household name just yet, but stay tuned. The “future of golf,” as he was referred to by broadcaster Mike Tirico during the 2011 U.S. Open, is just getting started.

Even though he picked up the game at the age of three, this emerging star is just beginning to shine in the world of golf. Perhaps I’m a tad biased when it comes to Cantlay because he happens to be my second cousin, twice removed (according to my mom’s analysis of our sprouting family tree). This Servite High School graduate has earned the respect of seasoned PGA players on the course while also receiving high marks in the classroom at UCLA.

Last year’s U.S. Open was Cantlay’s debut in a PGA event and he gave golf fans a phenomenal first showing. He posted the best amateur score at the Open and tied for 21st overall. If that weren’t enough, his back nine 30 was the lowest in the tournament.

Patrick was invited to play in the Travelers Championship in Hartford, Connecticut the following weekend. During his second round, he managed a feat that had never been accomplished by another amateur golfer during a PGA event. Patrick shot 60, setting a course record! He also led the tournament after the first two rounds and finished the weekend tied for 24th.

In 2011, Patrick Cantlay was listed as the number one amateur in both the World Amateur Golf Rankings and the Scratch Players World Amateur Rankings. He’s also been recognized as the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year, the Phil Mickelson National Freshman of the Year and the Pac 10 Player of the Year. In May 2012, Patrick was presented with The Ben Hogan award that’s bestowed upon the nation’s top college golfer.

The sophomore standout from UCLA continues to create a buzz in professional golf. This past April, Patrick played in The Masters and again achieved the low amateur score and finished in a tie for 47th. It was an absolute rush seeing my cousin sitting in Butler Cabin fielding questions from legendary commentator Jim Nance alongside tournament champion Bubba Watson.

This Father’s Day weekend, Patrick will once again compete in the U.S. Open in San Francisco. He will play in his third major of the year in The Open Championship this July in Britain. The pros on tour have taken notice of Patrick. Phil Mickelson, possibly the most famous of all past amateurs and the last one to win a PGA tournament, said of Cantlay, “I’ve obviously seen what he’s been doing on the golf course. It’s impressive, from Hartford to the U.S. Open to the U.S. Amateur. He’s one of the top amateurs in the country and has done a lot for UCLA golf.”

As golf’s next wave, Patrick Cantlay is enjoying the ride. For now, he continues to jump back and forth between amateur and professional events. Last month, he and his UCLA team advanced through the regionals in pursuit of an NCAA Championship. This summer, Patrick will focus on winning his first U.S. Amateur Championship. In the meantime, he’ll continue to swing with the pros when and where he can. When asked about his performance in PGA events, Patrick replied, “It just reaffirmed my belief that I think I can play out here eventually and right now I can compete. It just makes me feel good about the future.”

Go get ’em cuz!

2012 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
June 14th – 17th
Olympic Club
San Francicso, CA