Cantlay falls off after moment in the lead

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Patrick Cantlay pumps his fist after an eagle on No. 15. [NIGEL COOK/FOR THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

Early Sunday, Patrick Cantlay came out of the gate and showed everyone what was available in the final round of the Masters.

He birdied the first two holes, staggered briefly with a bogey on No. 4, then added two more birdies to make the turn within reach of the leaders.

Not only did he catch them, he passed them with an eagle on the 15th, which got him to 12 under with a one-shot lead on a crowded leaderboard. The lead didn’t last, however – two bogeys followed and Cantlay finished with a 4-under-par 68.

His four-day total of 10-under 278 was good for a ninth-place tie, assuring him of a spot in next year’s Masters.

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This was Cantlay's third Masters appearance, and second as a pro. It was also a huge improvement over last year when he shot 75-76 and missed the cut.

After his eagle from 17 feet on 15, Cantlay went to the 16th tee with momentum, but left his tee shot on the right-side collar, some 60 feet from the hole. He three-putted for bogey.

On No. 17, Cantlay drove into the right-side trees, sent his second shot long and left, and couldn’t get up and down.

He gathered himself at the end, however. After going from fairway bunker to greenside bunker on 18, he hit his third shot within a foot.