Patrick Cantlay

Cantlay followed up a four-win season that included winning the FedExCup with a two-win campaign in 2021-22 that he notched a career-high 12 top-10 finishes. Cantlay's wins came at the Zurich Classic with teammate Xander Schauffele and in the playoffs at the BMW Championship when he beat Schauffele in the final pairing. Cantlay's game is so well rounded that he's going to be among the top players in earnings year after year. He was top-40 in every strokes gained category in 2021-22 and he really was a few strokes here and there from having one of the best seasons in the last decade.

Cantlay has been good to great his entire career, but last year he blew past all expectations. Cantlay not only won the Tour Championship and with it the FedEx Cup, but he posted four wins in 2020-21 on his way to more than $7.6 million. Cantlay entered 2020-21 firmly entrenched in the group of players right below the elite level, but with his performance this past year, he closer than ever before to joining that group. All Cantlay needs now is a major and with his temperament and the confidence of winning the FedEx title, he just might have enough to get one this season. With that said, his number is just too high to be considered for salary cap purposes this season.

After earning more than $6 million during the 2018-19 season, expectations were extremely high for Cantlay, but unfortunately, he never found his best form. Cantlay played well prior to the break, with a runner-up at the Shriners and a 4th-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, but he struggled after the break. Cantlay managed just one top-10 in his first six starts out of the break as he failed to find much momentum. Cantlay is a great bounce-back candidate however as his cap number for this season is simply too low to pass up.

Much was expected of Cantlay entering this past season and by all accounts, he delivered. No, he didn't win a major or a WGC event, of The PLAYERS, or a FedEx event, but in every other aspect, he was great. In that sense, it was almost a break out year, but not quite. $6 million in earnings would certainly qualify as a breakout season for just about anyone, but a lot is expected of Cantlay and until he picks up a win at a larger event, he won't truly have met his potential. That win comes this season however, but it won't be enough to justify a salary cap selection this season as his number is just too high.

Cantlay entered the PGA Tour with a lot of hype and through two seasons, he hasn't disappointed. Cantlay earned over $2 million in just 13 starts two seasons ago and he topped that last season with nearly $4 million in earnings. Cantlay picked-up his first PGA Tour victory in the fall of last season, but unlike many before him whose game dropped-off after a win, Cantlay kept his foot on the accelerator. Cantlay scored six more top-10s the rest of the way and he missed only two cuts all season. If there is a weak spot to this point, it's his performance at the majors. Cantlay earned only one top-25 at the majors last season. He should improve in that area this season, which should lead to an increase in earnings, possibly enough to make him a decent salary cap option.

Cantlay accomplished what few people could last season as he made it to the Tour Championship with only 13 starts under his belt. It's tough to say where Cantlay's ceiling is because he has so few starts on the PGA Tour, but it's clear that it's definitely higher than the number he posted last year. It's tough to call a guy that we know so little about a must have, but considering his number is just $2 million, he really is a must have. Imagine what Cantlay can do with a full schedule next season, or even an abbreviated schedule.

Cantlay has 11 events to earn over $600k on a medical extension this season and although it seems unlikely that he'll get there, he still has 11 starts and he should have no problem at minimum doubling his earnings this season. If by chance he does earn enough to get his card back, then that's just icing on the cake.

Cantaly has made 133 starts on the PGA Tour and will be back for another go-round in 2013-14. He split time between tours last year, but saved best play for the Web.com tour.