Patrick Cantlay surprisingly pulls out of PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic

Patrick Cantlay, currently the world’s eighth-ranked golfer, has opted out of making his anticipated debut at the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities this week. The John Deere Classic, while not consistently featuring the strongest field in golf, typically sees participation from a few top stars each year.

This year’s tournament will feature notable golfers such as Jordan Spieth, defending champion and Ryder Cup standout Sepp Straka, as well as international talents like Sungjae Im and Jason Day. Joining them are 2023 American Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and 2009 Open Champion Stewart Cink.

Cantlay, who was initially listed to play in the event, decided to withdraw from the tournament on Monday. Russell Knox from Scotland will replace him in the lineup. The PGA Tour has not provided specific reasons for Cantlay’s withdrawal. Had he remained in the field, it would have marked his first appearance at the John Deere Classic, which has been held at TPC Deere Run since 2000.

In addition to Cantlay, Cameron Davis, who recently won his second career title at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, also withdrew from the tournament. Davis’s recent victory catapulted him up the FedEx Cup rankings and secured his place in next year’s Masters, The Players Championship, and all eight Signature Events. Following his win, Davis chose to take the week off to celebrate his achievement, a decision influenced by the hard-fought nature of his victory. Davis narrowly avoided a sudden-death playoff with Akshay Bhatia, who three-putted, allowing Davis to secure his win at 18-under-par over 72 holes.

Cantlay’s recent performances have shown promise despite a sporadic season. His last outing was at the Travelers Championship, where he finished tied for fifth. This came after an impressive showing at Pinehurst No. 2, where he tied for third, marking his best performance in a major championship to date. Earlier in the season, Cantlay secured top finishes at Riviera and Hilton Head, tying for third and fourth, respectively. However, he struggled at The Players Championship, the PGA Championship, and the Memorial Tournament, and he did not perform well at the Masters.

Looking ahead, Cantlay is not listed among the entrants for the Genesis Scottish Open next week, which serves as the final preparation event for The Open Championship at Royal Troon. Consequently, it appears that golf fans will next see Cantlay at golf’s oldest major championship in two weeks.

While Cantlay’s absence is notable, the John Deere Classic continues to promise an exciting competition with a strong lineup of players. The tournament, a staple at TPC Deere Run since 2000, will still feature a host of stars and is set to provide thrilling action for golf enthusiasts.