Patrick Cantlay's US Open performance giving him confidence heading into Travelers Championship

Rory McIlroy was on track to win the U.S. Open but collapsed and ultimately came up short after Bryson DeChambeau took advantage and slid in with the victory. Colin Cowherd reacts to DeChambeau's big win.

As Rory McIlroy couldn't figure it out on the Pinehurst No. 2 greens at the U.S. Open on Sunday, his final-round partner Patrick Cantlay was trying to remain in contention for his first major victory of his career. 

Cantlay, the leader after a 4-under first round on Thursday, wasn't able to add to his lead over the second and third rounds, leaving him chasing the eventual winner, Bryson DeChambeau, on Sunday. And the greens weren't just unfriendly to McIlroy — the entire field had trouble dealing with Pinehurst all week long.

"It’s definitely unique in that the most challenging part of the golf course is the green complexes," Cantlay told Fox News Digital ahead of the PGA Tour's next stop — the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. "The hole locations were difficult. Late in the day, they’ve had a lot of people walk across the greens, and they’re really fast. Hole locations were on a lot of slope, and so it makes for a challenge when you have those short putts."

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Patrick Cantlay of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the ninth green during the first round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 13, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Cantlay finished third at Pinehurst, which is still a fantastic finish despite not being able to hoist the trophy. 

However, Cantlay hasn't been able to call himself a tournament winner since Aug. 21, 2022 when he took home the BMW Championship. He's ranked