Top, high profile golfers are becoming a premium with the exodus of high profile players, like Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, to LIV. As a result, you’d think that equipment manufacturers and brands that want Tour visibility would therefore hold tight onto each golfers they have left.
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Patrick Cantlay—the current World No. 4, 2021 FedEx Champion, and member of the victorious 2022 U.S. President’s Cup Team—is, however, finding himself with two less supporters this morning after parting ways with Titleist and Hugo Boss.
The timing of the break up, traditionally, would not be too alarming considering many players have announced their switch during the Hawaii swing. Jon Rahm, for example, announced his departure from TaylorMade to Callaway 2 years ago to the day. But Cantlay’s change is complicated by the rise of LIV golf.
Patrick Cantlay is no longer a Titleist staffer. Using a black staff bag this week, and his gear on the Titleist page has been scrubbed, outside of the ball.
My guess is he goes the Adam Scott route — ball, shoe, glove deal but free agent for the clubs. pic.twitter.com/kqpQr4OY6N
— Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) January 3, 2023
Cantlay, in particular, has repeatedly got caught up in the soon-to-be-LIV golfer rumor mill, alongside friend Xander Schauffele, but Cantlay—who is competing in the Sentry Tournament of Champions this weekend—has repeatedly shot down the idea of leaving the Pga Tour.
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It will be interesting to see if Cantlay announces a new equipment and sponsor deal in the coming days, which is equally possible given that many sponsors have taken hands-off approaches with LIV golfers. TaylorMade, in fact, excluded DJ from their annual Christmas card post, which was a much less drastic approach than RBC who terminated their sponsorship.
So now it’s just time to sit and wait and see whether Cantlay becomes this first big LIV signing in 2023, or continues to fight with Rory, Scheffler and crew for top dog on the PGA TOUR.
Cover Photo via Twitter
