What is worth more—A FedExCup victory that included wins in two of three playoff events or the lowest scoring average and a win at the U.S. Open?
The FedExCup apparently trumps the U.S. Open.
At least that seems to be what PGA Tour members who voted on the Player of the Year seem to be indicating in voting for FedExCup winner Patrick Cantlay over Jon Rahm, who won the U.S. Open and had the lowest scoring average of the extended 2020-21 season.
“Receiving this award through a member vote reflects the respect his peers have for Patrick,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “His play throughout 2020-21 was phenomenal, and in stepping up to win consecutive FedExCup Playoffs events and the FedExCup, Patrick was at his best when it mattered most in our season.”
The others nominated for the award included 2020 U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, and British Open winner Collin Morikawa.
Cantlay won the Zozo Championship, the Memorial (which Rahm was leading when he had to withdraw), BMW Championship and TOUR Championship. He was the only player with four wins in the 2020-21 season. He beat Rahm by a single shot to win the season-ending Tour Championship.
With seven top-10 finishes and was the only player to finish in the top 30 in the four major Strokes Gained categories (Off the Tee, Approach the Green, Around the Green, Putting.)
However, the debate continued after the announcement, with pundits saying that in the majors, Rahm had a better year. Starting in 2020 and finishing at the British Open, Rahm finished 23rd, 7th, 5th, 8th, 1st, and 3rd, while Cantlay finished 43rd, 17th, missed cut, 23rd, 15th, missed cut.
In an award announced 24 hours earlier, Masters breakout star Will Zalatoris, 25, won the Rookie of the Year award over Garrick Higgo.
“Will’s success despite not having PGA TOUR membership status at the outset of the 2020-21 season is a testament to not only his ability but also his hard work and attitude,” said Monahan.
Zalatoris became the first Special Temporary member to win the award since Charles Howell III 20 years previous. He had eight top 10 finishes and made 21 cuts in 25 starts. He finished runner-up at the Masters in April.
Let us know what you think, did Patrick Cantlay deserve POY of should one of the below player listed been given the prestigious award.
Bryson DeChambeau, 27
• Entered 22 events with victories at the 2020 U.S. Open and the Arnold Palmer Invitational
• Finished No. 7 in the FedExCup
• Finished fourth in Scoring Average (69.728)
• Recorded a total of nine top-10s and made 20 cuts
Harris English, 32
• Entered 26 events with victories at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the Travelers Championship
• Finished No. 18 in the FedExCup
• Finished 22nd in Scoring Average (70.115)
• Recorded a total of eight top-10s and made 22 cuts
Collin Morikawa, 24
• Entered 23 events with victories at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession and The Open Championship
• Finished No. 26 in the FedExCup
• Finished 20th in Scoring Average (70.109)
• Recorded a total of eight top-10s and made 19 cuts
Jon Rahm, 26
• Entered 22 events with a victory at the 2021 U.S. Open
• Finished No. 2 in the FedExCup
• Led the PGA TOUR in Scoring Average (69.300)
• Led the PGA TOUR in top-10s with 15 and made 21 cuts
Patrick had a great year BUT Jon was better in my opinion..
1) Patrick really won 2 events not 4…Meomrial was really won by Jon who was leading by I think 7 strokes going into the last round when he was disqualified for covid ..which he would of won easily(and which he would have been given him more fed ex points. At east lake he beat Cantlay by 3 strokes for the 4 rounds of golf (so actually he and Na tied for first)He won the US OPEN missed one cut out of 22 events….If he would of not have been disqualified at the Memorial he would have had the lead easily going into the fed ex championship and would have won the whole thing . In conclusion if it wasn’t for the disqualification Jon would of run away with the voting…Sorry but Jon was the BEST for 2021 Patrick #2