Athletic brilliance is typically easy on the eye.
But when watching Patrick Cantlay play golf, that’s not always the case.
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Cantlay isn’t exactly every golf fan’s cup of teaCredit: Getty
The eight-time PGA Tour winner is recognised as one of the world’s best on the fairways, but also one of the most boring.
That’s because Cantlay spends a little longer than usual when preparing for his swing, and even then, that’s putting it kindly.
Fans have often weighed in on social media about their frustrations regarding Cantlay’s notably slow pace of play, and now six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has taken a cheeky swipe at the former UCLA standout.
In a post on X, Mickelson re-shared a clip of Cantlay shuffling his feet before hitting the ball at the recent TOUR Championship and offered his take on the matter, although pointed out the star’s antics may have dispelled a major golf myth once and for all.
What did Mickelson say about Cantlay?
“He shuffled his right foot 26 times,” Mickelson wrote on X.
“26 TIMES before he hit it. 26 x 36 other shots is 936 foot shuffles. That’s more calf raises than I’ll ever do.
“You also must be in peak physical condition to do this daily so let’s stop all the hate and appreciate that golfers are athletes.”
Despite Cantlay staying wedded to his routine, it failed to translate into success at last weekend’s TOUR Championship finale.
The American finished tied for second at East Lake alongside Russell Henley on 15-under, three strokes behind England’s Tommy Fleetwood.
Remarkably, Fleetwood’s victory was his first on the PGA Tour after a staggering 164 attempts as he scooped a tidy $10million (£7.4m) for his troubles.
Fleetwood will look to build on the momentum generated from his drought-breaking victory at the Ryder Cup in September having mathematically secured a spot on the European team.
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Mickelson couldn’t help himself as he poked fun at Cantlay’s slow pace of playCredit: ISI Photos via GettyWill Cantlay compete at the Ryder Cup?
As for Cantlay, he is no guarantee to feature at Bethpage Black for the United States as they look to wrestle back control of one of golf’s most prized cups.
Keegan Bradley’s US team has already taken shape with Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau the six to have automatically qualified for the team.
It means Cantlay must now hope he will get the tap on the shoulder to be one of Bradley’s six captain picks.
Cantlay sits 15th in the US team’s Ryder Cup rankings with 6,716.39 points to his name, which is 1,033 behind 14th-placed Cam Young.
However, one element in Cantlay’s favour is he already has experience in golf’s most heated team tournament.
talkSPORT.com’s Ryder Cup team predictions
Team USA
Automatic qualifiers
Scottie Scheffler (Qualification confirmed)JJ Spaun (Qualification confirmed)Xander Schauffele (Qualification confirmed)Russell Henley (Qualification confirmed)Bryson DeChambeau (Qualification confirmed)Harris English (Qualification confirmed)
Captain’s picks
Justin ThomasBen GriffinKeegan Bradley (player captain)Patrick CantlaySam BurnsCollin Morikawa
Team Europe
Automatic qualifiers
Rory McIlroy (Qualification confirmed)Justin Rose (Qualification confirmed)Tommy Fleetwood (Qualification confirmed)Robert MacIntyre (Qualification confirmed)Tyrrell Hatton (Qualification confirmed)Rasmus Hojgaard (Qualification confirmed)
Captain’s picks
Shane LowryJon RahmViktor HovlandLudvig AbergMatt FitzpatrickSepp Straka
Cantlay was involved in the victorious American team in 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and played a starring role as he won the equal-most points for his team with 3.5.
Unfortunately the 33-year-old could not replicate his magic in 2023 as Europe wrestled back control of the Ryder Cup in a 16.5-11.5 victory.
This year’s Ryder Cup tees off on September 26.
