As the Genesis Invitational approached its climax, Patrick Cantlay and his close companion, Xander Schauffele, emerged as the leading contenders poised to claim the coveted trophy.
Cantlay, who had the opportunity to virtually seal the tournament with a commanding performance, suffered a setback with a regrettable bogey on the 17th hole during Saturday’s play, entering Sunday’s round with a narrow two-shot lead.
Schauffele, Cantlay’s trusted confidant and the best man at his recent wedding stood among the contenders tied for second place.
However, the final day unfolded with unexpected twists.
Cantlay struggled tremendously, managing to hit only four fairways throughout his round. His erratic performance off the tee persisted, delaying his first birdie until the 11th hole.
Simultaneously, Schauffele encountered his own challenges, finishing the front nine at one-over-par without securing a single birdie.
As the final pairing transitioned to the back nine, they found themselves embroiled in a fierce battle alongside contenders such as Luke List, Will Zalatoris, and eventual champion Hideki Matsuyama.
At one point, all five players were deadlocked at 14-under-par. However, fortune favored neither Cantlay nor Schauffele.
Schauffele endured a string of three consecutive bogeys on holes 12, 13, and 14, while Cantlay faltered with three bogeys within his first six holes on the back nine.
Walking past spectators near the 15th tee, the palpable disappointment and frustration etched on their faces betrayed the realization that their hopes of clinching the title had faded.
Meanwhile, Matsuyama staged a remarkable performance, setting the Riviera Country Club ablaze with a record-breaking 9-under 62, marking the lowest final-round score in Genesis history, as noted by golf statistician Justin Ray.
What initially appeared to be a showdown between inseparable friends ultimately dissolved into a footnote. Cantlay and Schauffele concluded their round nearly an hour after Matsuyama had already triumphantly exited the course.
In a twist of fate, Cantlay delivered his most impressive putt of the day on the 18th hole, albeit when the outcome was no longer in question.
Kendall Capps serves as the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For comprehensive golf coverage, follow @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.
