It’s been an up-and-down season for Wyndham Clark, and the world number five has come under intense scrutiny at times.
The American’s major championship form was particularly concerning. The 2023 US Open winner missed three out of four cuts and looked entirely out of his depth. The Open Championship was particularly harrowing after Clark suffered a nightmare on the 15th hole during the second round.
Ahead of the Olympics, American fans voiced their concern over Clark’s inclusion, and after his first round 75, the criticism felt justified.
Clark, however, went on to produce three rounds of brilliant golf to finish on 11 under and just outside the medals. Now, the American has spoken about his performance at Le Golf National.
Wyndham Clark shares his Olympic verdict
Speaking ahead of this week’s BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Denver, Clark claimed he felt his good form was coming after his performance at the Travelers Championship.
“I felt like the turnaround started more at the Travelers Championship,” Clark said. “I back-doored a top 10 there, and then back-door top 10 at the Scottish. Unfortunately didn’t play well at Troon. Just didn’t fit my eye and didn’t play great there.”
On his Olympic performance, Clark added: “Then I went into the Olympics, and yeah, I was really bummed with that first day. But I played amazing golf. Even that back nine on that first day, I just hit it in the water and missed a couple of short putts; otherwise, it probably would have been an even par or a 1-under round, and we might be talking about a bronze medal if that back nine was a little bit different. Then, obviously, I played great the last three days.”
Clark then claimed that nobody in the field—apart from Scottie Scheffler—played better than him over the weekend.
“I played awesome golf,” he added. “I don’t think anyone other than maybe Scottie played better golf than me those last three days. I just shot myself out of it in the first round. Then last week was really solid golf for four rounds. I feel like my game is trending in the right direction at the right time.”
Tommy Fleetwood will disagree with Wyndham Clark’s comments
Clark’s claim that he played the best golf on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Scheffler aside – won’t prove popular among his fellow professionals.
Team GB’s Tommy Fleetwood will definitely say he performed better than Clark, as will Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama. Furthermore, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Victor Perez all had better weeks than the former US Open champion.
The American, to some extent, doesn’t do himself any favours. His bold claims only provide more ammunition for his critics to strike him down with. If he were playing to his highest level, he would be firmly in contention more often.
And after his latest confident comments, attention will firmly be on Clark at Castle Pines this week.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
