Patrick Cantlay says "it's my responsibility" to see through PGA Tour / PIF deal

With the PGA Tour / PIF merger still looming on the horizon, Patrick Cantlay has claimed that looking after the PGA Tour's members has become a priority.

Johnny Percival

18 Jan 2024

Patrick Cantlay feels ensuring a solid future for his fellow PGA Tour members is a responsibility that falls squarely on his shoulders, with a deal yet to be struck between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

As one of six player directors on the PGA Tour policy board, Cantlay has a key role in negotiations between the two parties, and he has made it clear that despite rumours he was leading a power grab for the top players on the PGA Tour, his key priority right now is seeing through the deal to take care of the PGA Tour's members both now and in the future.

Negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF began in June. However, they hit a speed bump when the December 31st deadline for an agreement to be reached was not met.

Related: Jordan Spieth denies Patrick Cantlay rumour and tips cap to LIV for Rahm deal

Despite being unable to strike a deal, the PGA Tour has reassured its members that an agreement should be in place before the Masters commences in April.

Finding himself at the centre of the storm, Cantlay spoke to the media ahead of the first round of the American Express and declared it his responsibility to ensure a good deal is made for the PGA Tour's members.

He said:

"I mean, I have a responsibility to the membership, to represent them as best as possible, and I care deeply about that. So, doing a good job there is not only what I want to do, but also my responsibility. Seeing through this deal, as best as possible, to set up the PGA TOUR players both now and in the future, is a priority for me."

With Rory McIlroy having stepped down from the policy board in 2023, sighting the desire to prioritise his family and his golf, reporters were eager to question Cantlay on how he's dealing with the stress of the negotiations.

He added:

"As far as my golf goes, that is my primary job is my golf. Doing everything I can, time management-wise, to have enough time to prioritise both things correctly is important and a challenge, but that's life.

"one of my strengths is compartmentalising, and being as focused as I possibly can be at the task at hand. So, I think there's a little more effort to try to focus solely on golf while I'm golfing, but I'm able to do that."

Cantlay currently lies 6th in the official world golf rankings, and after a T12 finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions earlier this month, he will be hoping to kick on with another good performance at the American Express this week.

When questioned about what he would deem as a successful year, Cantlay kept his answer short and sweet, saying:

"Good question. I think two things, consistency, and then also winning golf tournaments. That's really it."

Cantlay will be teeing it up alongside World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at 5:14 p.m. (GMT) in Thursday's opening round.

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