It is no stretch to say Wyndham Clark had a way more nice time at The Open at Royal Portrush this week than the earlier main event.
Clark has been unable to place an incident at Oakmont within the rear-view mirror. However three stellar rounds to finish The Open, mixed with no mood tantrums, was a step in the fitting route.
Clark completed in a tie for fourth at 11-under 273, following a shaky first-round 76 with rounds of 66, 66 and 65.
“On the finish of the day, I performed 16-under on the final three days,” Clark mentioned. “Excluding that first spherical, possibly we might have an opportunity to win this factor.
“However actually happy. I putted wonderful. I hit numerous nice photographs. Felt like I used to be in an amazing place. I am tremendous happy.”
Clark received the 2023 U.S. Open however this 12 months’s efficiency on the U.S. Open at Oakmont was a catastrophe on two ranges.
Clark missed the minimize with back-to-back rounds of 74. Then his anger took over and he badly broken a pair lockers on the famed golf course.
Oakmont has banned Clark from the property and mentioned Clark should pay for all damages, make a charitable contribution and attend “anger administration periods or counseling,” earlier than he may be reinstated.
“So, clearly, I really feel horrible with what occurred,” Clark mentioned Sunday. “I am doing something I can to attempt to treatment the state of affairs.
“We’re attempting to maintain it personal between Oakmont, myself and the USGA. I am simply completely satisfied now we have a pathway transferring ahead, and such as you mentioned, I am hoping we are able to get previous this and transfer on and hope there isn’t any ill-will in direction of me and Oakmont.”
That incident marked the second straight main event through which Clark had a mood subject. He threw his driver and broken a tee field through the PGA Championship at Quail Hole in Could.
Clark mentioned resolving his mood points is a work-in-progress.
“I’ve had them prior to now. I have been fairly open about my psychological shift and alter to get higher, and I did that in ’23 and ’24, after which having a troublesome 12 months and all of the expectations and simply frustration all coming collectively, and I did two silly issues,” Clark mentioned. “However one factor that it did do is wake me up and get me again into the individual I do know I’m and the individual I wish to be.
“I hope these issues do not replicate as a result of I do not suppose they replicate on who I’m, and going ahead that stuff will not be going to occur once more.”
Clark’s efficiency at Royal Portrush was his better of the 12 months. His different three majors went poorly – tie for forty sixth on the Masters, tie for fiftieth on the PGA and the missed minimize within the U.S. Open.
However he is holding out hope {that a} sturdy run might land him a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup crew.
“I have not had a very good 12 months, to be trustworthy,” Clark mentioned. “I’d have cherished to make just a few extra putts to attempt to get a second place as a result of then possibly I would have a greater likelihood. …
“I really feel like I am beginning to play actually good golf these final 4 or 5 weeks. I’ve performed two or three good rounds, I simply have not put 4 collectively.”
–Area Degree Media
