33! Yes, that is exactly the age PGA Tour pro Patrick Cantlay is turning today. Out of his 33 years on earth, Cantlay has, selflessly, dedicated thirty years to our beloved sport golf. Yes, you read that right, the golfer chose his career path when he was only three years old. As he grew up and gathered more knowledge about the sport, he slowly understood the tough competition and amazing love golfers receive from the fans. Now, he is, undoutedly, one of the best and most loved golfers out there with eight PGA Tour wins under his belt. But there’s more to this golf sensation than meets the eye. So, here are 15 amazing facts about Cantlay that we bet you might not know:

1. World No. 1 amateur for 55 weeks

Let’s start with the easy one. Patrick Cantlay’s impressive golf career is rooted in his remarkable amateur days, where he held the top spot as World No. 1 amateur for a staggering 55 weeks between March 2011 and June 2012. This achievement is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and natural talent. But what’s even more impressive is that during this period, he also made a name for himself in major championships as he was the low amateur at the 2011 US Open, and he repeated this feat at the 2012 Masters.

2. Back injury

Patrick Cantlay’s golf career was derailed by a devastating back injury in 2013. While warming up on the range at Colonial, Cantlay felt a sudden, searing pain in his back, which was later diagnosed as a stress fracture in his L5 vertebrae. The injury forced him to take a lengthy break from golf, and he played only a handful of tournaments over the next three years. Despite his best efforts, Cantlay struggled to recover, and he was told by doctors that he might never play golf again. The injury was a crushing blow to Cantlay’s confidence and career prospects.

3. Suffered a tragic loss

Tragedy struck Patrick Cantlay’s life in February 2016, when his best friend and caddie, Chris Roth, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Newport Beach, California. Cantlay was just a few feet away from Roth when the accident occurred, and he was deeply shaken by the loss. Roth had been more than just a friend and caddie to Cantlay; he had been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his golf career. Cantlay was devastated by Roth’s death, and it took him a long time to come to terms with the loss.

4.  Signed with Tiger Woods’s agent

Back in 2017, Patrick Cantlay made a significant move in his golf career, signing with Mark Steinberg, the same agent who represented golf legend Tiger Woods. This deal marked a new chapter for the 20-year-old Cantlay, who was turning pro after a stellar amateur career. “I have a tremendous passion and respect for the game of golf and can’t wait for the challenge of taking my game to the next level,” Cantlay said, expressing his excitement for the opportunity ahead.

5. 2021 Player of the Year

Patrick Cantlay had a phenomenal 2020-21 season, earning him the prestigious title of PGA TOUR Player of the Year! With four impressive wins, including back-to-back victories in the FedExCup Playoffs, Cantlay stood out among his peers, receiving the Jack Nicklaus Award. He edged out notable players like Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm, and his wins at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, Memorial Tournament, BMW Championship, and TOUR Championship made him the only player with more than two victories that season.

6. Patrick Cantlay was responsible for an epic 2023 Ryder Cup

Patrick Cantlay proved himself to be a clutch performer at the 44th Ryder Cup, holing three crucial putts on the final three holes to flip his fourballs match and give the US a glimmer of hope for a comeback. This impressive display of nerves of steel was reminiscent of Ian Poulter’s legendary performance at Medinah in 2012. Cantlay’s putts were a turning point in the match, and his teammates were inspired by his bravery and skill under pressure. As Cantlay noted, he used the energy of the crowd as “fuel” to drive his performance, saying “I’ve never had so many standing ovations going to tee boxes and greens. I thought it was fantastic.”

7. “Hat-Gate” controversy

Patrick Cantlay found himself at the center of a controversy during the 2023 Ryder Cup when he chose not to wear a team cap during the tournament. Rumors quickly spread that Cantlay was protesting not being paid to participate in the event, but he explained that the hat simply didn’t fit. Despite his explanation, fans began taunting Cantlay, waving their hats and shouting “Show me the money” during his match per GolfWeek. The incident, dubbed “Hat-Gate,” added a touch of drama to the tournament, but Cantlay took it all in stride.

8. Cantlay and Schauffele’s unbeaten run ends at 2023 Ryder Cup

Patrick Cantlay, paired with Xander Schauffele, experienced a disappointing loss in their first-ever foursomes match together at the 2023 Ryder Cup, marking the end of their impressive 5-0 unbeaten run. The duo had been nearly unstoppable, but ultimately fell short against a strong European team

9. Back-to-back BMW Championship wins

Patrick Cantlay etched his name in the PGA Tour history books by achieving a remarkable feat. In 2021 and 2022, he won back-to-back titles at the BMW Championship, becoming the first golfer to successfully defend a playoff event. This milestone highlights Cantlay’s exceptional skill, strategy, and mental toughness, cementing his position as a top contender on the PGA Tour.

10. Helped Team USA win Ryder Cup in 2021

Patrick Cantlay secured a spot on the US Ryder Cup team in 2021, earning one of the six automatic qualifying spots alongside Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas. Cantlay had looked forward to the experience, saying, “It’s nice to get in on points… I’m really looking forward to it.” As part of the youngest US team in history, Cantlay helped Team USA regain the Ryder Cup with a record 19-9 victory over Europe, marking the largest margin of victory in the Ryder Cup since 1967.

11. Former world no. 1

Patrick Cantlay once held the record for most consecutive weeks as the World No. 1 golfer, maintaining the top spot for 54 weeks. He also spent a total of 55 weeks at No. 1, a record that stood until Jon Rahm surpassed it.

12. Best golfer but no majors

Despite his impressive career, Patrick Cantlay has yet to claim a Major title. His best finishes to date have been tied for third place at the 2019 PGA Championship and the 2024 US Open, leaving him as one of the most skilled male golfers still seeking his first Major victory.

13. Founder of The Patrick Cantlay Foundation

Patrick Cantlay is not only a talented golfer, but also a dedicated philanthropist. In 2019, he founded The Patrick Cantlay Foundation, which focuses on growing the game of junior golf and supporting first responders. As an official ambassador of the First Responders Children’s Foundation, Patrick is passionate about giving back to his community.

14. Patrick Cantlay is taken

Patrick Cantlay, the accomplished professional golfer with the 2021 FedEx Cup title, is a married man. He tied the knot with Nikki Guidish in 2022, after being in a long-term relationship. Although the couple keeps their personal life private, they occasionally share glimpses into their relationship on social media. Cantlay was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in the same year he got married, making 2022 a memorable year for him.

15. Patrick Cantlay has a furry friend

Patrick Cantlay’s adorable dog, Mav, frequently makes appearances on the golfer’s Instagram account. Mav has even joined his dad on the golf course, including when Cantlay was practicing for the 2022 Presidents Cup. Cantlay captioned a photo with Mav: “Gearing up for the @presidentscup with my trusty sidekick Mav “. 

And this is where we’ll be ending the article, because we’re sure if we keep writing down ‘amazing facts’ about the golfer the article will, infact, never end. But that’s what tells us the years of dedication and love Cantlay has given to the sport of golf and for that he defintely deserves a shoutout. So, if you want to wish Cantlay a happy birthday feel free to use the comment section down below!