Golf World Monday - June 27, 2011

6.27.2011

04cantlay’s record round

following up a t- 21 finish at the u.s. open with a second-round 60 at the travelers championship (the first 60 by an amateur in a pga tour event) to take the 36-hole lead only brought more questions about turning pro for patrick cantlay. and just as he did at congressional cc, the rising sophomore at ucla deflected such talk, insisting he would remain an amateur, play in the walker cup and finish his remaining three years in college. that mindset may be hard for some to fathom in this era of instant gratification. after all, cantlay would have won about $140,000 for his showings at the u.s. open and the travelers (t-24) had he been playing for pay. but a couple of strong weeks (and one incredible round) does not mean a player is ready to make the jump. give cantlay proper credit for his performance, but also remember the cautionary tale of casey wittenburg. a junior standout, wittenburg was runner-up at the 2003 u.s. amateur, a u.s. walker cupper and low amateur at the 2004 masters and turned pro after just one year at oklahoma state—the prototypical can’t-miss kid, except that he did. wittenburg has yet to earn a pga tour card and his t- 13 at augusta national remains his highest finish in a major. how long cantlay can resist turning pro is uncertain. he is, however, on his way to the world golf hall of fame— sort of. the hall has asked for the ball and scorecard from his 60 to put on display. —E. Michael Johnson