In professional sports, the golfing icon has won more trophies than almost anyone else.
In the world of golf, Tiger Woods possesses a special power to ground people. Patrick Cantlay is no different, having recently felt the effects of Woods’ lofty accomplishments.
Cantlay found himself speaking to the media on Wednesday about how Tour players rank wins, top finishes, and scoring averages amid the news that Scottie Scheffler had won the PGA Tour Player of the Year title over Jon Rahm.
Cantlay highlighted the arbitrary nature of this ranking by relating a memorable interaction he had with Woods following his 2021 Player of the Year victory.
Cantlay reflected on his visit to Tiger’s house and expressed his amazement at all the trophies and awards Woods has amassed over the years.
“After winning Player of the Year, I went over to Tiger’s house, I believe, to talk about the Ryder Cup. It felt like a big deal to me at the time that I had won Player of the Year, and they give you this little Jack Nicklaus bronze trophy,” the golfer said in a Golf Magazine interview.
As we proceed through Tiger’s home and enter the basement, we see that he has about eleven of them arranged in a row in a basement corner.
“I tell myself, ‘I’m catching up.'”
Woods gave a sobering reality check in response to Cantlay’s comment about catching up.
There’s a lot of work ahead of you.
Between 1999 and 2009, Woods won the prize nine times, only losing to Vijay Singh in 2004 and Padraig Harrington in 2008.
Cantlay will not play golf on LIV. BB
Cantlay is grounded even though he has won eight PGA titles, including the FedEx Cup Championship in 2021, and team titles like the Presidents Cup and U.S. Ryder Cup. He dismissed any plans to join LIV Golf, even as he acknowledged having conversations with representatives of LIV Golf and reaffirmed his commitment to the PGA Tour.
Cantlay clarified that the choice is based on individual values and priorities. Cantlay served on the PGA Tour policy board in 2023. His adamant refusal to defect to LIV Golf in the face of rumors and offers strengthened his commitment to the PGA Tour.
Cantlay was the subject of controversy surrounding his purported demands for payment in connection with his Ryder Cup involvement. Rumors circulated that he refused to wear the U.S. Ryder Cup hat because of these beliefs. Cantlay repeatedly and vehemently refuted these accusations, demonstrating his dedication to the sport and his public persona.
