Cantlay Claims Second Successive BMW Championship Win
The 30-year-old American is firmly in contention to defend his FedEx Cup title


Lightning has struck twice for Patrick Cantlay as the American won the BMW Championship for the second successive year to leave him in a strong position to defend his FedEx Cup title.
Cantlay went into the final round at Wilmington Country Club with a one-shot lead over Scott Stallings and Xander Schauffele, and got off to a solid if unspectacular start with three pars. The 30-year-old’s first birdie came at the fourth as he looked to stamp his authority on proceedings – particularly with Schauffele suffering an indifferent start that featured a bogey at the second as he slipped further behind.
It wasn’t all plain sailing, with Stallings catching Cantlay and then opening up a two-shot lead thanks to the defending champion's wobble around the turn as he bogeyed the eighth and 10th. Cantlay hit back with a birdie at the 11th and then held his nerve to hole a tricky putt at the 12th for par as the pair went neck-and-neck into the remaining holes.
At the same time, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler was making his own bid for the title, with three birdies in four holes taking him to within two of the lead with three to play. His surge threatened to come unstuck on the 17th when he landed in a bunker, but his recovery shot made the green and he eventually saved par. On the 18th, a delicate chip left Scheffler close – but not close enough – to a birdie. While a par would have still left him in with a chance of victory with a one-shot deficit heading back to the clubhouse, his dreams were dashed when his attempt stayed out, leaving him two behind the leaders.
Meanwhile, Stallings and Cantlay were finally about to be separated once and for all. Stallings had a chance to take the outright lead on the 18th. However, his birdie putt rolled agonisingly wide as he finished on 13 under. One hole behind, Cantlay had a birdie chance of his own, which he duly took to give him a one-shot lead with one to play.
Needing a par to win, Cantlay found a bunker from his tee shot on the 18th. However, he held his nerve to reach the green with his second shot. There was still work to do, though, with Cantlay facing a 46ft putt to get near the hole. He didn’t disappoint, with his effort lipping out to leave him a tap-in for victory.
With only the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings making it to next week’s Tour Championship, there was plenty of interest further down the leaderboard. Halfway leader Adam Scott was walking a tightrope as his challenge began to fade, while KH Lee had a hugely impressive final round to give him a great chance of reaching East Lake Golf Club. The South Korean’s 65 featured seven birdies and just one bogey to finish 10 under.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Another who benefitted from a strong final round was Sahith Theegala, whose back nine featured four birdies to leave him hopeful as the players ahead of him completed their rounds.
In the end, all three did enough to make the top 30 in the projected standings, but one player who misses out is Shane Lowry. His final round 68 to leave him tied for 12th wasn't quite enough, with the Irishman finishing 31st.
Scheffler begins next week in first, two shots ahead of a resurgent Cantlay to promise a fascinating conclusion to the PGA Tour season.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Dylan Wu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Dylan Wu was introduced to golf early and nowadays is a PGA Tour mainstay – here are 10 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall
-
David Lipsky Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
David Lipsky has built a successful career since turning professional in 2011 – here are 15 things to know about him
By Mike Hall
-
'Got My A** Kicked' - Xander Schauffele Has Tough Return To Action At Bay Hill
Xander Schauffele admitted he "got my a** kicked" by Bay Hill as he struggled in his first round back from a rib injury
By Paul Higham
-
Xander Schauffele Reveals When He Hopes To Return After Spell Out With Rib Injury
The World No.2 hopes to return to action in early March with the Arnold Palmer Invitational following a spell out with a rib injury
By Mike Hall
-
Adam Scott Explains How President Trump Can Speed Up PGA Tour-PIF Deal
Adam Scott says Donald Trump's intervention can be a big positive for the PGA Tour-PIF deal - especially regarding the ongoing Department Of Justice investigation
By Paul Higham
-
Reporter Shares Xander Schauffele Injury Details And Says World No.2 Has Been Struggling 'Since Late Last Year'
Golf Channel reporter Todd Lewis shared details on the World No.2's injury situation which caused Schauffele to withdraw from two recent PGA Tour events
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Collin Morikawa The Latest Big-Name Player To Withdraw From Farmers Insurance Open After Xander Schauffele
The two-time Major winner has withdrawn from the Torrey Pines event, with his place in the 156-player field being taken by Wesley Bryan
By Mike Hall
-
Xander Schauffele Not Listed In TGL Match And Farmers Insurance Open After Reported 'Medical Issue'
The World No.2, who withdrew from The American Express, is reportedly sitting out two scheduled appearances in the next week due to an unspecified "medical issue"
By Mike Hall
-
Xander Schauffele Withdraws From American Express Days After Scottie Scheffler
The PGA Tour announced on Monday evening that the World No.2 was no longer in the American Express field and had been replaced by Philip Knowles
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'A Whole Lot Of Money Going To Charity And We're Going To Take A Lot Of C**p' - Schauffele Sums Up Ryder Cup Pay Row
Xander Schauffele is unhappy that USA players are going to "take a lot of c**p" for getting Ryder Cup payments when they're giving it all to charity
By Paul Higham