Patrick Cantlay Emerges as a Contender at the Memorial Tournament

The 2026 Memorial Tournament is set to commence on Thursday at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, marking the PGA Tour's seventh Signature Event of the season and a highly regarded non-major championship in the sport. Established by the iconic Jack Nicklaus, this tournament boasts a substantial $20 million purse and attracts an elite roster of competitors, serving as a significant prelude to the U.S. Open.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is aiming to make history by securing a third consecutive title at the Memorial, a remarkable achievement that would place him among the tournament's elite. However, amidst the spotlight on Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, CBS Sports analyst Patrick McDonald suggests that viewers might be overlooking a potential dark horse: Patrick Cantlay.

“He’s a player who is trending in the right direction and has won twice at this golf course,” McDonald noted. Despite a winless streak approaching four seasons, the former FedEx Cup champion finds himself on familiar turf, having achieved four top-12 finishes in his last five outings. His recent performance at the PGA Championship showed promise, although a subpar weekend resulted in a disappointing finish.

Having claimed victories at the Memorial in both 2019 and 2021, Cantlay is one of the few multiple-time winners at Nicklaus’ challenging course. The central question remains whether he can break his title drought, as he has not won since the 2022 BMW Championship—a notably long span for a golfer of his caliber. Nevertheless, he has consistently stayed competitive, recording three top-10 finishes this season, including a tie for seventh at the Valspar Championship and eighth at the RBC Heritage.

McDonald posits that Cantlay's improving form combined with the comfort of familiar surroundings could provide a prime opportunity for him to reclaim victory. However, the competition is fierce, with Scheffler as the clear favorite and other strong players like Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Åberg, and Cameron Young in the mix, promising an exciting tournament ahead.