Patrick Cantlay fiercely defended by multiple major champ: "Let's stop all the hate"

Phil Mickelson fired up Golf Twitter™ with a sarcastic quip about Patrick Cantlay's pace of play during the PGA Tour's season finale. 

Cantlay played his way into contention at East Lake and had a final-round tee time with eventual champion Tommy Fleetwood. 

The two-ball fell one hole behind the group in front at the driveable par-4 13th, though, with both players hitting their drives right of the undulating green. 

Cantlay made an unreal par save from the thick rough after hitting a delightful flop shot while Fleetwood took his medicine and etched a bogey on to his scorecard. 

But it was pointed out by man observers that, while it couldn't be helped that both hit poor tee shots, Cantlay was taking far too long. 

All told, the duo took more than 17 minutes to complete the hole. Cantlay shuffled his feet relentlessly before hitting his tee shot, standing over his golf ball for more than 23 seconds. 

Many were left unimpressed. DP World Tour pro Romain Langasque described Cantlay's pace on X as 'terrible' whilst others suggested he should have been put on the clock. 

"It ain't Tommy who is slow," added Rich Beem on the Sky Sports broadcast. 

Mickelson clearly spotted an opening for some humour. His observation? Cantlay's calves worked harder than the six-time major winner ever have. 

"He shuffled his right foot 26 times," Mickelson said. "26 TIMES before he hit it. 26 x 36 other shots is 936 foot shuffles.

"That's more calf raises than I'll ever do. You also must be in peak physical condition to do this daily so let's stop all the hate and appreciate that golfers are athletes."

Incredible. 

Only Lefty could turn calf raises into a legitimate stat. It's not the first time Mickelson has weighed in on a contentious issue and it certainly won't be the last. 

Cantlay is unlikely to bite back. The Californian tends to let his golf just do the talking. 

Cantlay on Ryder Cup hopes

Cantlay's performance at the Tour Championship added strength to the argument he should be named among Keegan Bradley's six wildcards for the Ryder Cup next month. 

The American, 33, has not had his best season but has started finding some form of late. 

The six American qualifiers were confirmed following the conclusion of the BMW Championship, with JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Harris English, Russell Henley and Bryson DeChambeau joining Scottie Scheffler. 

Cantlay finished 15th in the standings, but has a superb Ryder Cup record of 5-2-1. If you include his results at the Presidents Cup, he's 15-6-1. 

Cantlay refused to discuss his chances of being involved in Team USA during the Tour Championship. 

But he did acknowledge his form has improved and revealed he's got a new putting coach. 

"It's always nice to have your game shape up at the end of the year," Cantlay said. 

"But like I said, I'm focused 100 per cent on this week, and we'll worry about the Ryder Cup a little later."