THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 21, 2022

Patrick Cantlay

Quail Hollow Club

Press Conference

Q. (No microphone).

PATRICK CANTLAY: I wouldn't say it's just as exciting because when you do it for the first time, you're not sure exactly what to expect, but it's right up there.

Q. I know you always get asked about you and Xander and what is the synergy? How much of it is personally, how much of it is the game matching up and just, I don't know. I mean, it's probably a broad question. How do you kind of explain it to people?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I think, you know, we met when we were in college, and we're both from California, so I think we share that. We've just spent a lot of time together. I think, you know, Fred put us together at the Presidents Cup in Australia, and we just became fast friends and have been really good friends since.

Q. I guess, like, personalities and disposition, things like that, do you otherwise find it hard to find guys you relate with in that way? Do you know what I mean? Was it kind of a kindred thing, like wow, that guy's kind of like me and that's a rarity?

PATRICK CANTLAY: No. I just think, you know, some people you feel like you get along with better or you become really good friends. And it just happened naturally. I think you have to have the opportunity to spend time with each other, which we did, and, you know, we just found that we were, you know, really good friends.

Q. He's someone that doesn't really put himself out there overtly. And you were trying to explain, like, Wikipedia person, how would you describe him as a guy?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I think he's very humble and confident, like you said, reserved and witty. So he's really smart guy. I think, you know, people don't necessarily -- it's not the first thing they think of when they think of Xander, but he's very intelligent, thinks things through. He's a guy who leaves no stone unturned. He'll do anything to get an advantage or play a little bit better at almost any cost.

Q. Do you have any examples of that?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I just think he's really thorough in the way he practices and, you know, the way he goes about even just his putting practice and routine. If you watch closely, he's really diligent and has serious attention to detail.

Q. Do you have any highlights from the practice rounds as far as anything funny? Anything to share.

PATRICK CANTLAY: No. We've just had a good time out there, just, you know, getting used to the golf course. The golf course is in great shape, and, you know, these practice rounds, had a couple matches, but nothing too crazy. And, yeah, it's been fun.

Q. Seem like an inquisitive guy with the things that are important to your life. How have you approached this entire LIV/PGA TOUR situation in terms of information gathering and decision-making?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I think it's important for everybody to be informed. I mean, maybe not at the end of the day, but definitely everybody, this is their business that they run, and so, you know, being accurate and up to date with all the new information and not really getting caught in any rumors, I think, is really key.

And I think everybody should at least understand what the decision is. Even if the decision to stay on tour feels like a non-decision, it's a decision.

So that being said, I think what gets lost in all this is it's been so contentious, and it seems like it just continues to be contentious. I would be surprised if there's not some coming together intervention because I just don't know of any sport, really, that has a legitimate fractured sport.

So I feel like if we're ten years from now, everyone will be like, oh, yeah, that LIV stuff. I remember that, and we'll all be playing at least some of the same events together. I find it funny that people are so amped up about it because I don't -- I maybe don't get as emotional about it as everyone seems to be getting.

Q. Who could lead that intervention?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I'm not sure. I'm just looking -- and I could be wrong. I'm not saying that I know there's, you know, going to be a coming together. I'm just saying when I look at all other sports, all the best players play together. And I've heard, you know, we had the, you know, American Football League. That went away. I mean, nobody continued to play on the American Football League. There's been other stuff in baseball.

So I just feel like at some point, when you start looking back on it, people will be surprised to hear, you know, oh, man, it was, you know, really contentious. Because it just, it will feel like a blip on the radar once it's all settled. It's just right now very unknown.

Q. What's your role in that process? Do you feel like do you lean one way or the other to ask questions or to tell other people, advise people? Or are you just looking out for yourself, make the right decision.

PATRICK CANTLAY: No. I would say I'm just a very, very, very small piece in something that's a lot bigger than me, right? So, you know, if someone asked me, I would give them my honest opinion. But I'm in no position to try and tell someone what they should do. And I think what we've learned through all this is, you know, everybody's motivations are very different. Like no one's factors or staying or leaving or doing whatever are the same. So it's hard for me to judge somebody's decision because they may have a different priority than I do.

Q. It's interesting you said you're focused on not being caught up in rumors. Like how do you do that when anyone could start any rumor?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Just not giving credence to it and not -- I shouldn't say not, but waiting until we get something that's a fact.

Q. It does happen a lot in the locker room?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, I mean, you hear all the time some new top 10 player's going, right? We've been hearing stuff like that for a year or more. So until it actually happens, I give it basically no credence.

Q. At the Ryder Cup, you told me about this team being dominant for a long time. What this team like, and is this team now exactly what you were thinking about for the future?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It's already a different team. I think we have six rookies this year on the Presidents Cup. Is that right? Yeah? I think there's six rookies. So, I mean, it's already a 50 percent turnover rate.

So I think more my point is the team is younger than ever. I think I'm on the older side of the halfway point at 30. And so they don't have as much scar tissue as I feel like the other guys did from the Ryder Cup. This tournament's different than the Ryder Cup, but I feel like the young guys are hungry and have, basically, no scar tissue.

Q. Is there an advantage to experience?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Maybe on a golf course, but I don't think, like --

Q. Playing these team events. Is there a real advantage to having played in that?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It depends on the experience. If you were to win three or four, you know, Ryder Cups in a row, then that would be really helpful. If you lost three or four Ryder Cups in a row, it would be a different mindset going in.

So I think it can, but it really depends on the experience.

Q. Another topic. We're going to take you back a couple years ago, 2013, when you won back in Colombia. Can you tell us a little bit about those memories and how did your life change after that time?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It feels like a long time ago. But I remember liking the golf course, and I remember it being very similar to golf courses I grew up on in southern California. It was, you know, 70 degrees off kikuyu grass and poana greens so I remember enjoying the golf course. I remember I played really well. I think I won by a few shots.

Q. Talk to me about this week and being so heavily favored. Is there a part of that that actually puts more pressure on you?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Not for me, but I could see how that narrative could be true for others. I think the guys just need to take care of business and, you know, treat every match, treat every match individually and not get caught up in all of the other stuff that's going on. I think if the guys take care of business, it shouldn't be a problem.

Q. I know this is moving forward a ways. But in singles, is there one guy on that team that you think to yourself, I wouldn't mind having a shot at him?

PATRICK CANTLAY: No.

Q. Say that with a very sly smile.

PATRICK CANTLAY: No. Just no. I mean, I'll play whoever I'm up against.

Q. Is it strange, as you said, to be 30 years old and be one of the older guys in the team room?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I wouldn't have expected it. Yeah, for sure. I think you just kind of look around, and you go oh, who's the oldest guy here, and there's maybe only two or three guys older than you. And then you start thinking, I'm pretty old.

Q. In four-ball and foursome, it's so much different type of play. Kind of explain to people, as someone who plays a sport that's so individualistic, and we never play foursomes on the PGA TOUR, what's it like to play foursomes knowing, hey, I've got to be supportive of my partner no matter what?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It's easy if you have a good partner, which I do. So we have had some really good success in alternate shot, and so I don't mind it. I enjoy the format.

Q. What is one of your favorite things about playing with your partner?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I just enjoy all the time I get to spend with him. He's a really quality guy. He's very smart, humble, and so being on the same team as him and being able to share those moments is just really special.

Q. What would you say your best shot is?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Like my -- the best shot I've ever hit with him?

Q. In the game. What does he admire about your game?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Probably consistency, just being all around -- I feel like my stats are usually pretty good all the away around.

Q. What do you admire most about his?

PATRICK CANTLAY: He is able to hit really quality shots under pressure. And so it's a joy to watch when I know he needs to hit a good one.

Q. (No microphone).

PATRICK CANTLAY: We've had a bunch. So hard to say. Usually, the last one we tasted. You know, we've had a bunch of good ones. And we enjoy -- we've gone to French Laundry the last two times. And so we've really had a blast with Thomas Keller at his restaurant.

Q. (No microphone).

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, possibly. I feel like, you know, that could potentially be interesting.

Q. (No microphone).

PATRICK CANTLAY: No. But if they come up with an event, I'll check it out.

Q. Anything different in the three teams you've played on now? Do they all feel exactly the same?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I'd say every team event feels a little different, depending on you're the home or away team. Obviously, Ryder Cups feel different than Presidents Cups. We've had quite a lot of turnover on the team since I played the first one at Royal Melbourne in '19.

Q. Three or four guys from that team that are here this week?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Yeah, sounds right. J.T., Kis, Xander, myself.

Q. Finau.

PATRICK CANTLAY: Finau? Kis wasn't on that team? Someone said the only player/caddie combos that are the same from '19 are Xander and I.

Q. What does it tell you?

PATRICK CANTLAY: That it's really hard to make the teams, and very rarely do guys play extremely well year after year after year after year.

Q. Do you find yourself taking it for granted -- not taking it for granted, but expecting to be at Whistling Straits and from there expecting to be here? When you talk about the difficulty of making the team, is that something that's easy to --

PATRICK CANTLAY: I think it's something you definitely want to do, but you don't, because it's the year-long points, and then there's the captain's picks. It's nothing that is in your control, per se. I mean, it is. You can be top six in points, but at the end of the day, you know, you're already trying to do that anyway.

So I don't think it's something that I start the year off and say, oh, my gosh, I really hope I make the Presidents Cup team. I almost think if I take care of my business, I should probably be on the team.

Q. Have you thought about the rest of the year?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I might play one or more two.