Patrick Cantlay’s 64 on Friday helped him make up part of a four-way tie at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The Californian won his maiden PGA Tour title at TPC Summerlin in 2017 and is clearly at home in the Nevada desert, carding six birdies, an eagle and a single bogey to move to 12-under.
Cantlay is joined on that score by Kevin Na, who signed for a superb 62, as well as Brian Stuard and 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover. Matt Jones is a shot behind, while 2013 winner Webb Simpson is also in contention three off the pace.
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However, it is this year’s Memorial Tournament winner who is the favourite and he clearly feels at home on the outskirts of Las Vegas. “Driving the ball in the fairway is really important,” he said. “It’s one of my strengths, so most of the tee shots out here look really comfortable to me. Leaves me lots of wedges, lots of opportunities for scoring.
“First couple days hit the ball really well, especially off the tee. I think that’s a big part of playing this golf course well, is hitting driver a lot. I hit driver a lot out here when other guys might lay-up … It’s worked.”
