After opening with a 77, Patrick Cantlay contending at 2026 Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. ― After making the cut by going par through the first two rounds of the 2026 Masters Tournament, Patrick Cantlay managed to finish 6-under after Saturday’s round. He needed his best round of the tournament to do it, but he’s now put himself in great position heading into the final day of play.

Cantlay shot a 66 with six birdies during the round. That score is his second-best all-time in the third round. In his third Masters appearance in 2019, he shot a 64. The 34-year-old also has played 36 consecutive holes without a bogey. The last time he bogeyed was on the 18th hole of the opening round.

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“Yeah, had a rough day the first day,” Cantlay said. “I didn't hit the ball all that well and I've hit the ball really well the last few days. Just kind of a round that you throw out and try and get to work. I feel like I've done a good job not staying patient but not trying to get it all back at once and playing the right shot the last couple days.”

Patrick Cantlay and his caddie Joe LaCava walks the first fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Cantlay’s best finish in his 10 Masters appearances was in 2019 where he finished T9. Nothing is guaranteed at Augusta National, but he’s shown that he’s in a groove right now. Back-to-back days he birdied on the 2nd and 16th holes, consecutive days without a misstep on the leaderboard.

Quietly, Cantlay is becoming a dark horse to win his first ever green jacket.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2026: Patrick Cantlay in contention after first-round 77