At the BMW Championship, Patrick Cantlay delivered a performance that simultaneously made every golf fan cheer and roll their eyes. The man, who ranks #38 in the OWGR but sits at DG-Rank #10 with a DataGolf Skill Estimate of 1.51, secured second place with an overall score of -14. A top finish that once again perfectly encapsulates the wild rollercoaster ride called 'Cantlay'.
Strengths: The T2G Titan
What a dominant display from tee to green! In Illinois, Cantlay showed why he is considered one of the best ball strikers on Tour. Throughout the entire tournament, he gained an incredible +3.29 strokes per round through his T2G play. That's incredibly strong and well above his 24-month baseline of +1.03 (OTT 0.34 + APP 0.78 + ARG 0.18).
He particularly excelled with his approach shots. With +1.68 strokes gained per round in approach play, he outshone the competition. Off the tee, things also went extremely well, with +0.67 strokes gained per round. Even his around-the-green play, with +0.95 strokes gained per round, was far above his usual level.
A look at the numbers clearly shows the extent of his dominance in these areas:
| Category | BMW Championship (SG/Round) | 24-Month Baseline (SG/Round) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | +2.35 | +1.46 | +0.89 |
| OTT | +0.67 | +0.34 | +0.33 |
| APP | +1.68 | +0.78 | +0.90 |
| ARG | +0.95 | +0.18 | +0.77 |
| Putt | -0.94 | +0.16 | -1.10 |
| T2G | +3.29 | +1.30 | +1.99 |
His driving statistics, with an average of 2,697 yards, confirm the power he brings to his game. These T2G values are simply elite and the foundation for his top finish.
Weaknesses: The Putting Curse
And then came the putting. Again. Anyone familiar with Cantlay knows he sometimes seems to despair with his putter – and the BMW Championship was no exception. With a disastrous -0.94 strokes gained per round lost on the greens, he significantly pulled down his overall SG. Compared to his 24-month baseline of +0.16 strokes, this was a veritable plunge of 1.10 strokes per round. Imagine what could have been achieved with a neutral or even good putter! This deficit on the greens is the sole, but massive, impediment to Cantlay's absolute dominance.
Round Details: Consistent Play with a Setback
Cantlay started solidly with a -3 round, followed by a fantastic -5 round on Friday. With another -4 on Saturday, he consistently stayed in the top ranks. Particularly exciting was the final round, where he only shot a -2, but then
