Brooks Koepka’s collapse in the final round of the Masters will have many fans looking at LIV Golf’s 54-hole “tournaments” as a key factor. But the golfer one hole ahead of the Koepka-Jon Rahm pairing may have played a part as well.
Yes, I’m talking about Patrick Cantlay.
Cantlay went into Sunday’s final round squarely in the hunt at 6-under par, but as his day unraveled in the final round, Cantlay seemed to play slower increasingly slower with each hole. That slow place impacted Rahm and Koepka’s approach on the course as they were stuck waiting at tee boxes for Cantlay.
I fear for Patrick Cantlay after this is over. I’m not sure I’d want to annoy these two! #themasters pic.twitter.com/m2I8AA7CXS
— Nigel Haworth (@nth09) April 9, 2023
And it wasn’t just Rahm and Koepka who had enough of Cantlay’s snail-like play. His round partner on the day, Viktor Hovland, stopped waiting for Cantlay, sending not-so-subtle messages about speeding things up.
Viktor definitely sending Cantlay a message at this stage of the round. pic.twitter.com/Y70kfAi73K
— TweeterAlliss (Parody) (by Jove) (@TweeterAlliss) April 9, 2023
Viktor literally cannot wait any longer for Patrick Cantlay. pic.twitter.com/GtdlmLHPzn
— TweeterAlliss (Parody) (by Jove) (@TweeterAlliss) April 9, 2023
Golf fans were also furious with Cantlay whose actions made the viewing experience seem painfully slow.
MORE: Photos of Jon Rahm and his family celebrating the Masters win
This was how Twitter reacted
Cantlay and Bennett should wait around behind 18 green to apologize to everyone finishing up behind them. Atrocious pace of play. Reprehensible. I cannot believe they haven’t been penalized – feel bad for Koepka and Rahm.
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) April 9, 2023
Officials at Augusta National pulling Cantlay off so this thing finishes before sundown pic.twitter.com/pLIo3zNC1i
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) April 9, 2023
Media: “we need villains on the PGA Tour. They all went to LIV.”
Cantlay: pic.twitter.com/qgJ9KuwgJO
— Rory Tracker (@RoryTrackr) April 9, 2023
Patrick Cantlay is a national disgrace. pic.twitter.com/u1zmaLX62x
— Masters Burner (@ANGC_burner) April 9, 2023
rahm and brooks have had an incredible view of cantlay's round waiting on every tee box. glad they could see the show.
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) April 9, 2023
Cantlay/Hovland need to be put on the clock. Full hole behind. pic.twitter.com/PScAteL3K1
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) April 9, 2023
Biggest Rahm guy you will meet to win this tournament since December, but this round objectively goes a whole lot differently for Brooks if he's not playing behind Cantlay.
— Andy Lack (@adplacksports) April 9, 2023
Can Brooksy just send his ball at Cantlay now? As any of us would do to a slow inconsiderate player.
— Oliver Phelps (@OliverPhelps) April 9, 2023
Could someone in a green jacket nip out and offer Hovland/Cantlay a decent sum just to pick up their balls and let the last group get on with it?
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) April 9, 2023
It really was a disgrace.
