Unless your name is Scottie Scheffler or Xander Schauffele, it has been difficult for virtually any player to stand out on the PGA Tour this season – with some perhaps surprised to learn that Wyndham Clark is a top five player in the world right now.
Wyndham Clark obviously enjoyed a phenomenal 2023 as he won the US Open to clinch his first major title, and he was involved in the Ryder Cup in Rome, with the high point surely coming when he was playing alongside Patrick Cantlay in that dramatic Saturday evening match against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The 30-year-old did win at Pebble Beach early on this year, but he went on to miss cuts at three of the four majors – while finishing tied for 56th as he defended his title at Pinehurst in June.
Clark did start poorly at the Olympics, but fought back superbly to finish in a tie for 14th. He has now finished inside the top 15 at four of his last five events. And he is returning to familiar surroundings this week.
Wyndham Clark grades his 2024 so far
The BMW Championship is taking place at Castle Pines in Clark’s home state of Colorado – with Clark well aware of what a unique challenge Castle Pines presents. And speaking ahead of the second FedEx Cup play-off event of the year, Clark was asked to share what grade he would give his season so far.
“I mean, a very good grade. It’s kind of been two seasons. Maybe even three I’d break it up. The first half I felt like I was an A+. The second half mentally is kind of where I grade myself. I felt like I was a little bit in the B range, and now I’m back in the A category. I had an amazing year. I had two or three runner-ups. I won a tournament. I’ve had multiple top 10s. I’m 5th in the FedEx. That’s a great year for most people,” he said.
“Obviously what Scottie and Xander are doing, I think everyone is holding all of us to a really high standard compared to them. But it was an amazing year. Last year I was roughly in the same spot coming into this event; I was in fifth. Last year was an amazing year, too.
“It’s been an amazing run of two years, and I’m really pleased, and I’m hoping this is just an upward trend.
“I shot 60 at Pebble. That’s another highlight.”
The major disappointment from Clark’s season
Clark will be disappointed with his performances in the major championships, but there is still clearly a fantastic opportunity for him to end the year on a real high.
He will hope to be starting no more than five shots behind Scottie Scheffler or Xander Schauffele at The Tour Championship, while he is on course to qualify for the Presidents Cup team in Montreal next month. As things stand, he is fourth in the standings with one event to play.
You have to praise Clark for choosing to take the positives from his year, particularly as it must be slightly disheartening when two players on the tour are so far out in front of everyone else right now.
A win in his home state this week will certainly be a highlight in what Clark feels has already been an outstanding year.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
