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DUBLIN, Ohio – Patrick Cantlay won Memorial on his third career start, but his relationship with this event dates back to 2011.
It was at this time that he was on the Muirfield Village site to receive the Jack Nicklaus Award as the best NCAA Division I golfer, having led an outstanding season at UCLA. But in the face of injuries and difficulties off the course, he started in the tournament in 2017. But on his return two years ago, he was quick to bend the ears to the organizer of the tournament.
"Patrick came to see me and he just asked me," How would you play on the golf course? Nicklaus said, "We sat down and I have no idea what I told him, but he played well."
As Cantlay remembers, the two men shared a 90-minute strategy session, explaining how to attack each hole sitting in front of Nicklaus's house, near the course. He gleaned ideas and used them to travel to the T-35 that year, then to fourth place last year.
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Cantlay fell on Nicklaus in the Muirfield Village grid on Friday afternoon, after a 69 second lap that left him two head shots for the weekend. This time, while Cantlay was looking to turn a series of near misses into a second career win, the board was a little different.
"He took me aside and said," You have to go there, have a good time. Look around when you are there, "said Cantlay. "Look at all the people having fun, then you have to have a good time and realize that's why you're here, relax and have fun and go win the golf tournament. "
That's what Cantlay did, turning a four-shot deficit into a two-shot win with a bogey-free 64 who left the field in his wake and who was the lowest round of all time for a tournament champion. That put an end to a victorious drought dating back to November 2017, and he joined Tiger Woods as the only other player to have received the Nicklaus Award at Muirfield Village for his collegiate success, before returning to win the PGA Tour event. .
Although his calm demeanor did not seem to have the modest appearance, Cantlay admitted that Nicklaus's advice was the center of attention as he closed one of the best rounds of his career to place Adam Scott in a crowd. of suitors.
"Hearing someone like Jack gives him a little more weight. Much more weight, "said Cantlay. "And honestly, if I'm in this position so many times this year, over the last year, I felt a lot more like it was normal. And I was just a little more comfortable.
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