Patrick Cantlay’s valiant efforts at the RBC Heritage ultimately fell just short, as he finished tied for third place, four strokes behind the eventual winner, Scottie Scheffler. After play was suspended on Sunday due to darkness, Cantlay, 32, had only two strokes remaining. He returned to the course on Monday to sink two par putts, concluding his round and later addressing the media.
When asked about his plans following his performance at the RBC Heritage, Cantlay emphasized the demanding schedule that professional golfers navigate. He noted that there are significant tournaments every month, and players must adapt accordingly. Despite achieving consistent scores of 67-66-68-68 throughout the four rounds, Cantlay acknowledged that he needed one lower round to challenge Scheffler for the win. However, he expressed satisfaction with his performance and is now preparing for the PGA Championship in three weeks.
Cantlay’s determination was evident in his decision to complete his round on Sunday despite the suspension due to darkness. While other players opted to mark their ball and return the following morning, Cantlay chose to hit his second shot in the fading light, a bold move that ultimately landed the ball to the left of the green. He then marked the ball and returned on Monday to finish the final two strokes.
In a post-round interview, Cantlay explained his reasoning for completing his round on Sunday night: “I felt like I had a good chance to make birdie, so I wanted to give myself an opportunity.”
Despite his impressive performance, Cantlay’s decision to hit the second shot in darkness may have cost him a chance to finish as runner-up, as Sahith Theegala’s birdie on the 16th hole on Monday pushed Cantlay down to a tie for third place. Nonetheless, Cantlay’s efforts at the RBC Heritage demonstrated his unwavering determination and the high level of competition within the professional golf circuit.
