Patrick Cantlay defeats Jon Rahm to win FedEx Cup at Tour Championship. (0:43).
ATLANTA -- Patrick Cantlay again delivered, this time with a 6-iron and not a putter.
"Patty Ice" was just the same clutch, with a $15million shot that enabled him to beat Jon Rahm to win Sunday's FedEx Cup.
The world's No. 1 player was in a heated duel. Cantlay was the No. 1 player in the world. He had a one shot lead heading to the 18th hole of the Tour Championship. Cantlay hit 6-iron from 218 yards down to just under 12 feet. This secured the biggest victory of his professional career.
Cantlay stated that it felt like a big win.
Rahm's shot was also exceptional, landing right next to the hole on its second bounce and rolling to the light rough beyond.
Cantlay was in the final, so Cantlay had to hit the chip for a chance at a playoff. Cantlay missed the cut, but he two-putted for birdie.
Cantlay won $15 million. He was a 29-year old Californian who had his rise in golf slowed down by a back injury which kept him out of the game for three years.
He is now a top-ranked golfer, thanks to the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Cantlay stated, "It is fantastic." It's a tremendous honor, because it lasts for a whole year. I was consistent throughout the year and found my fire at the end. It's an incredible feeling of accomplishment considering the amount of work I have put in all my life."
Cantlay displayed remarkable determination to survive a six-hole playoff and beat Bryson deChambeau last week in the BMW Championship to win the No. To begin the Tour Championship, Cantlay was seeded at No. 1 and held a two shot lead. He never flinched over four days at East Lake.
Rahm, who was four shots behind Cantlay and got to the final day only two back, did not catch Cantlay. Cantlay was never allowed to breathe easily either.
Cantlay held a lead of two shots with a approach to 6 feet for birdie at the 17th hole. But, it was almost over. On the 17th, he drove to the right, cutting a tree, dropping into deep rough, then hitting a flyer above the green and gallery. He was unable to pitch back to green and ended up in deeper rough. To save bogey, he made a 6-footer and continued ahead.
Cantlay was well down the 18th fairway with Rahm, and he hit his best drive of today, going 361 yards. This set up the 6-iron Cantlay felt he needed.
Rahm made no bogeys over the final 28 holes but only two birdies. He tied Kevin Na at 14-under 266 for the 72-hole score. They will share points towards the world ranking.
Cantlay began at 10 under par, and ended up at 21 under.
"Patrick played fantastic golf and was four shots ahead. Rahm stated that he was the better player throughout the week and earned the title. "The up-and down after missing 17 is impressive, and the second shot from 18 almost makes it even more impressive.
"I think you could say that he won this,"
Rahm was awarded the consolation prize of $5 million for placing second in the FedEx Cup. Na (67), took home $4 million. Justin Thomas (70), birdied the final hole to place fourth. This was worth $4 million.
Cantlay was more concerned about this than just money.
He won the fourth season's title -- the Memorial when Rahm was forced to withdraw after building a lead of six shots after 54 holes due to positive COVID-19 results. No one else has won more than once.
This makes him a front-runner to be PGA Tour Player Of The Year. Rahm (U.S. Open title and No. 1 ranking) and Collin Morikawa, British Open, World Golf Championship title), are also likely to be on this ballot.
