Cantlay was born in Long Beach, California to Steve and Colleen Cantlay. He has two brothers, Nick and Jack Cantlay, and a sister, Caroline. As a senior, he won the California State High School Championship at Servite High School.
Cantlay won four tournaments as a freshman at UCLA and received the Haskins Award as the most outstanding college golfer in 2011. He was also named the Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
In addition to being named Pac-10 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Cantlay received the Phil Mickelson Award as the GCAA National Freshman of the Year. He also received the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s top amateur at the end of the 2011 season. This honor earned him a spot in the 2012 Open Championship.
Cantlay qualified for the 2011 United States Open via sectional qualifying. Along with Russell Henley and Brad Benjamin, he was one of three amateurs to make the cut. Over the weekend, rounds of 70 and 72 ensured he was a low amateur. His back nine 30 was the best in the tournament, and he tied for 21st place. The following week, on June 24, Cantlay set a course record by shooting a course record 60 at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
The following week, he tied for 20th place as the lowest amateur at the AT&T National. Cantlay won the Southern California Amateur the following week at the San Gabriel Country Club. He also finished in a tie for ninth place at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open as the low amateur.
Patrick Cantlay Wife: Is Patrick Cantlay Married?
He is unmarried. He is currently engaged to Nikki Guidish, his girlfriend. On September 3, 2022, the couple got engaged.