Wyndham Clark did much better than the average and fell just short of the record. The 2023 U.S. Open champion shot a final-round 60 to finish the week at 30-under total to collect his fourth PGA Tour title and top Si Woo Kim by three shots. World No. 1 Scheffler finished third, five behind Clark.

Clark earned $1.854 million from the overall $10.3 million purse. His last victory came more than two years ago at the AT&T Pebble-Beach Pro-Am. He started the season ranked 46th in the world and had dropped to 75th entering this week.

Win: Wyndham Clark, -30/254, $1.854 million

2: Si Woo Kim, -27/257, $1.122 million

3: Scottie Scheffler, -25/259, $710,700

4: Jackson Suber, -23/261, $504,700

5: Keith Mitchell, -22/262, $422,300

T-6: Tony Finau, -20/264, $347,625

T-6: Zach Bauchou, -20/264, $347,625

T-6: Tom Hoge, -20/264, $347,625

T-9: Johnny Keefer, -19/265, $260,075

T-9: Jesper Svensson, -19/265, T-9: Max Greyserman, -19/265, $260,075

T-9: Sungjae Im, -19/265, $260,075

T-9: Stephan Jaeger, -19/265, $260,075

T-14: Taylor Moore, -18/266, $187,975

T-14: Blades Brown, -18/266, $187,975

T-14: Brooks Koepka, -18/266, $187,975

17: Ben Silverman, -17/267, $167,375

18: S.Y. Noh, -16/268, $157,075

T-19: Garrick Higgo, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Jordan Spieth, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: A.J. Ewart, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Seamus Power, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Pierceson Coody, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Peter Malnati, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Rico Hoey, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Ryo Hisatsune, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Kensei Hirata, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Steven Fisk, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-19: Erik van Rooyen, -15/269, $100,596.67

T-31: Eric Cole, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Luke Clanton, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Mac Meissner, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Doug Ghim, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Mark Hubbard, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Sam Ryder, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-31: Chris Kirk, -14/270, $58,930.71

T-38: Emiliano Grillo, -13/271, $47,895

T-38: Chan Kim, -13/271, $47,895

T-40: Neal Shipley, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Adrien Saddier, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Matthieu Pavon, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Tyler Duncan, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Luke List, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Camilo Villegas, -12/272, $38,625

T-40: Austin Eckroat, -12/272, $38,625

T-47: Dan Brown, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: Fabian Gomez, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: Taylor Pendrith, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: John Parry, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: Justin Lower, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: Patrick Fishburn, -11/273, $26,971.29

T-47: Patrick Rodgers, -11/273, $226,971.29

T-54: Adam Svensson, -10/274, $23,999

T-54: Tom Kim, -10/274, $23,999

T-54: Jeffrey Kang, -10/274, $23,999

T-54: Charley Hoffman, -10/274, $23,999

T-54: Troy Merritt, -10/274, $23,999

T-59: Chad Ramey, -9/275, $23,175

T-59: Jonathan Byrd, -9/275, $23,175

T-59: Jordan Smith, -9/275, $23,175

T-62: Thorbjorn Olesen, -8/276, $22,454

T-62: Yongjun Bae, -8/276, $22,454

T-62: Rasmus Hojgaard, -8/276, $22,454

T-62: Hank Lebioda, -8/276, $22,454

66: Mackenzie Hughes, -7/277, $21,939

T-67: Lanto Griffin, -5/279, $21,630

T-67: John VanDerLaan, -5/279, $21,630

69: Zac Blair, -4/280, $21,321

70: Danny Willett, -3/281, $21,115

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Aric Becker/ISI Photos

The post Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Having lost his game in the last year followed by a notorious episode in which he lost his temper, Clark was a model of composure Sunday in the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Clark fired a 28 on the inward nine at TPC Craig Ranch that propelled him to a closing 11-under 60 and his first victory since he won the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He also shot 60, a course record, in the third round at Pebble Beach, which ended up being the final round after storms shortened the event to 54 holes.

Winner of the 2023 U.S. Open, Clark made news last summer at the same championship at Oakmont Country Club by leaving the members something to remember him by. He put a foot to a few of the club’s ancient lockers after bogeying the last hole to miss the cut. The damage was substantial—more to his reputation than the lockers, though a casual observer might call it a draw. Oakmont subsequently banned him from the property.

Now, if you think we’re being a shade unfair to the lad, one who also last year angrily threw a club that nearly struck a volunteer at the PGA Championship, he wasted no time bringing up the Oakmont incident on national television after he signed for a 30-under 254 total to beat third-round leader Si Woo Kim by three shots.

Credit to Clark for finally owning it publicly. Bonus for not putting his foot in his mouth doing it.

“It’s amazing. I have to first thank a lot of people because what happened last year at Oakmont wasn’t the greatest thing,” Clark, 32, said after he became the fifth player since 1983 (when records began to be kept) to win on the PGA Tour after shooting 28 on the closing nine holes. “My sponsors, Power Design, SOFI, T-Mobile, Lexus all of them stayed with me, which means a lot. I’m very thankful for that.

“The greatest thing about having a downfall like that is the comeback,” he added. “Today feels really special after having a really tough year and grinding it out.”

5 Birdies. 1 Eagle. 28 shots

Wyndham Clark's back nine @CJByronNelson was unreal. pic.twitter.com/RRTS2YQpRz

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 24, 2026

For much of the day, Kim, who settled for 60 in the second round after bogeying the final hole, was doing enough to hold off Clark and playing partner Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, whom, it should be noted, seems determined to see just how many top-three finishes he can rack up in a calendar year that do not include wins.

Fortunes turned at the par-5 12th hole, where Clark rolled in a 15-footer for eagle and leapfrogged over Kim into a one-stroke lead at 26 under par. Kim birdied the same hole moments later to regain a share at the top only to see Clark two-putt from 74 feet for birdie at the short par-4 14th and then guide home another birdie from 45 feet at 15 for a two-shot lead. Clark never let up, closing with two more birdies from 12 and three feet to slam the door. Figuratively, mind you.

Like we said, that’s quite a closing kick. It is believed that no one has won two tour events with a closing 60, let alone doing it in consecutive wins.

Kim fell to 2-6 when holding a 54-hole lead despite a 65. He finished runner-up for the second time in 2026. Scheffler also shot 65 to end up another two shots back in third place at 259. That makes six finishes of third or better in 11 starts this season, only one of them a victory way back in January at The American Express.

“I played great. I think it’s pretty much [the] best play golf I’ve ever had,” said Kim, who led the field with 33 birdies. “I’m a little frustrated, but nothing I can do. Wyndham played so good. It was so impressive.”

Clark pocketed $1.854 million with his fourth career PGA Tour title and assured himself starts in the year’s remaining signature events. He had fallen to 75th in the world, but the victory elevated him back inside the top 50 to a projected 44th, well off his career high of third from two years ago but now heading in the right direction.

Which is exactly what he’d tell you about himself in several aspects. One of which he already alluded to but to which he offered no further elucidation.

Clearly, a putting turnaround is another key. The club that was so crucial in his U.S. Open victory at Los Angeles Country Club had become a liability. He had gone through a number of putters this year and finally came across one he could trust—a Ping Scottsdale Tec Ally Blue Onset putter.

Mike Mulholland

“I went through kind of a tough spurt, not swinging it good, not feeling comfortable with a lot of things, and I did a lot of work this off-season working on my golf swing,” he said. “Then I started hitting it better but wasn’t making the putts. Then finally landed on a great putter, and then everything’s been kind of coming together.”

It came together to the tune of a plus 20.210 strokes gained/total effort for the week fueled by a tournament best 12.573 strokes gained/putting performance.

And then, of course, Clark also had a day like few golfers ever have, which made it easy to enjoy. Nevertheless, it felt unusual, if you will. He was in a zone for sure. One that undoubtedly had gone missing.

“Yeah, it was definitely a calm zone, like I never … yeah, it was weird,” admitted. “I’ve been in the zone before. Like at Pebble, that was a crazy zone, just simply because that golf course and the putts I was making was almost like out of this world just because those greens are so difficult.

“Here it just almost felt like I was playing at home, and every hole was a new hole. I didn’t worry that I just made six birdies or that I needed to make more. I just was like, ‘All right, I have this 20-footer. I see it left edge, and I’d hit it, and it would go in.’ It was a different zone than I’ve been in before, that’s for sure.”

Finding the zone is one thing. Finding a “calm zone,” well, any golfer would tell you that’s just nirvana. And finding that zone at a tournament dedicated to the memory of the gentlemanly Byron Nelson has almost a spiritual vibe to it.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Alex Goodlett

The post Wyndham Clark admits ‘comeback’ victory at Byron Nelson made sweeter after Oakmont ‘downfall’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In an interview with SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio on Wednesday, Wyndham Clark had some candid comments about Koepka’s return. The 2023 U.S. Open winner admitted he’s “torn” about the situation—especially as someone who turned down his own lucrative LIV Golf offer ahead of the 2024 season.

“Gosh, I’m so torn,” Clark told SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. “I mean, I personally really like Brooks, and I think it’s ultimately really good for the PGA Tour, but also, you know, a guy that had an opportunity to go to LIV, it’s kind of frustrating that he’s able to get the cake and also eat it.”

"I'm torn."

Wyndham Clark admits Brooks Koepka's return is good for the PGA TOUR. But he thinks there's more to it than that, as he explains to Colt & Drew on Gravy & The Sleeze.@Wyndham_Clark | @ColtKnost | @thesleezyman

: https://t.co/NmEfdRUvZs pic.twitter.com/Z35TUddRG9

— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) January 14, 2026

Koepka opted out of the fourth and final year of his contract with LIV and took advantage of a one-time offer from PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp to return. As part of the agreement, Koepka made a $5 million donation and forfeited any potential 2026 FedEx Cup bonus money as well as equity grants in the tour for the next five years.

But Clark clearly feels that the five-time major champ came out well financially.

“I had the offer. It was just over a year and a half ago,” Clark continued. “And if you would have told me that I could have gone for a year and a half, make a boatload of money and then be able to come back and play on the Tour, I think almost everyone would have done that.”

But while Clark thinks the PGA Tour should have made “a few more repercussions,” overall, he’s happy to have Koepka back.

“At the end of the day, I want whatever is best for the PGA Tour, and I think if guys come back, especially top guys like Brooks, it’s only going to help the tour, which is ultimately going to help me,” Clark said.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Douglas DeFelice/TGL

The post Wyndham Clark ‘torn’ over Brooks Koepka’s PGA Tour return, thinks there should have been ‘a few more repercussions’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Following an incident at the U.S. Open, Wyndham Clark has been suspended from Oakmont.

The club notified its members this week in a letter, referencing Clark’s damage to the locker room during the week of the national championship, which went viral on social media after a picture was taken of the damage. Golf Digest has obtained a copy of the letter, which reads as follows from club president John Lynch:

“Several of you have inquired about the situation involving Wyndham Clark and the steps being taken in response to his recent behaviour. Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property.

“This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the Board.

“Reinstatement would be contingent upon Mr. Clark fulfilling a number of specific conditions, including full repayment for damages, a meaningful contribution to a charity of the Board’s choosing, and the successful completion of counselling and/or anger management sessions.

“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”

Clark, who won the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, apologised the following week at the Travelers Championship. He spoke again of the incident last week at the Genesis Scottish Open.

“Yeah, I mean, I made a mistake in a moment of rage with, you know, a bad year and everything coming together and it just was more than anything a good wake-up call for me to say, ‘Hey, you know what, let’s get back on track and things aren’t that bad,’” Clark said. “I live a great life and I’m not that far off from playing good golf, so I feel like I’ve turned a page and we’re now maybe on the right track of playing some good golf.”

Clark also had an incident at the 2025 PGA Championship, where a thrown club resulted in a damaged tee sign. Oakmont, which has been named an anchor site for the USGA as part of the organisation’s new strategy to create a rota for their flagship events, is set to host the U.S. Open again in 2033.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Alex Goodlett

The post Wyndham Clark suspended from Oakmont after damaging locker room during U.S. Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Wyndham Clark kicked off the Travelers Championship with a stellar six-under 64, two strokes behind early first-round leader Austin Eckroat. But instead of talking about his great round, the highlight of his post-round talk with the media was about something else he kicked last week—the lockers in the Oakmont Country Club locker room.

https://t.co/DdClg8952U pic.twitter.com/b1bkezlT9B

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) June 15, 2025

“I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows,” Clark said on Thursday after a post on social media made the rounds of a destroyed locker. “I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened. But I’d also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of this year and things that come up. I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup. So I’m starting to move on and focus on those things.”

Clark’s damage at Oakmont came after he missed the U.S. Open cut, shooting eight over the first two days. A bogey on 18 Friday resulted in him missing the cut by a stroke.

Since a T-5 finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open on March 30—his lone top 10 finish this year—Clark’s best finish was T-27 at the RBC Heritage on April 20.

Amid his struggles, Clark had to make a different apology coming on the heels of a dangerous club throw at the PGA Championship a month ago.

This is some absolute clown stuff from Wyndham Clark pic.twitter.com/UYAH0fFTXA

— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) May 18, 2025

Clark issued the following statement on social media:

https://twittee.com/Wyndham_Clark/status/1924511085094437252

On the heels of some calling for him to be banned at next year’s U.S. Open, Clark pieced together one of his best rounds of the year Thursday at TPC River Highlands. Following a two-under front nine, the 31-year-old notched three straight pars to begin he back nine before registering a trio of birdies on 13, 14 and 15. Following two straight pars, Clark concluded his day by birdieing 18, putting him in a great position to make a run for his fourth win on the PGA Tour and first since the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Alex Goodlett

The post Wyndham Clark apologises for Oakmont locker incident: ‘I’m very sorry for what happened’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Clark bogeyed four of the first five holes in the final round of the 2025 PGA Championship, all but ending any hopes of getting into red numbers for the week or posting a confidence-building top 20. He did manage to right the ship with four birdies and just one bogey over the next nine holes, but a bogey at the par-5 15th killed the momentum. Then he made his way to the Green Mile, starting with the par-4 16th, where he blocked his drive into the right fairway bunker, a popular spot on Sunday.

That appeared to be the final straw for the three-time tour winner:

This is some absolute clown stuff from Wyndham Clark pic.twitter.com/UYAH0fFTXA

— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) May 18, 2025

Wow. Don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say that that was just plain dangerous. You may even notice the man holding the yellow flag in the bottom left corner flinch out of the way, indicating the club almost hit him. Not a great look.

Clark’s major performances since LACC now read T-33/MC/MC/T-56/MC/T-46/T-50.

UPDATE, MONDAY, MAY 19: Amid an outcry over the club throw on social media, Wyndham Clark issued an apology for his actions via X.

pic.twitter.com/v28eV96q3s

— Wyndham Clark (@Wyndham_Clark) May 19, 2025

“I would like to sincerely apologise for my behaviour yesterday on Hole 16. As professionals, we are expected to remain professional even when frustrated and I unfortunately let my emotions get the best of me. My actions were uncalled for and completely inappropriate, making it clear that I have things I need to work on. I hold myself to a high standard, trying to always play for something bigger than myself, and yeterday I fell short of those standards. For that I am truly sorry. I promise to better the way I handle my frustrations on the course going forward, and hope you all can forgive me in due time.”

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Gregory Shamus

The post Update: Wyndham Clark issues apology for dangerous club throw at the PGA Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Clark was penalised in neither situation, which only makes the internet cries grow louder. A true “he can’t keep getting away with this!!” Jesse Pinkman situation.

On Wednesday at the Players Championship, the former U.S. Open winner was asked if he saw any of the internet hate, and whether or not he cares about the c-word allegations.

“Obviously I found out after the round. I have a few comments on this rule in general,” Clark said. “But I didn’t know — so I approached scoring and they approached me like, ‘hey, there’s something that’s going to come up in media about what happened on 3.’ I was like, on 3? I hit it in the middle of the fairway, hit it on the green and two-putt. I’m like, what are you talking about. He goes, it’s your drop.

“I was like, what do you mean, did I do an improper drop? He said, well, we didn’t know if you were plugged. Long story short is you’re okay.”

Clark says that they then showed him the video clip that was making the rounds, which led him to wonder how the hell he was supposed to know if it was his own pitch mark or not.

“We were 300 some yards away,” he said. “The ball just hit — we didn’t see the ball bounce from our distance, and we get up there and it’s plugged. How was I supposed to know? No one told us.

“So my frustration was that if I did get stroked, how is that my fault when no one told me that I rolled into something — if I did roll into someone else’s pitch mark. That’s one of those rules in golf where it’s like, why are we making this so complicated? I can’t see that, and if the volunteers don’t tell me and I get stroked for something that I didn’t know happened, it kind of seems unfair.”

Clark was vindicated in a statement from the PGA Tour Rules Committee after the round, and he insisted on Wednesday that there was no chicanery.

“I am glad that it was correct because I wasn’t trying to cheat by any means. We just walked up, ball was plugged, took an embedded ball rule.”

Main Image: Gregory Shamus

The post Wyndham Clark responds to internet haters over Bay Hill ruling: ‘I wasn’t trying to cheat’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Five years since we learned Mark Wahlberg's harrowing daily schedule, in which he gets up at 2am, has lunch 10½ hrs later, spends more time with snacks than his kids, and takes an hour in the cryo chamber after his 30min golf game. pic.twitter.com/Z7UMtW6VJx

— The author, Séamas O'Reilly (@shockproofbeats) September 12, 2023

As you can see, that’s quite the timetable. And we here at Golf Digest have to point out the 7:30 a.m. golf, which ends promptly at 8 a.m. for a good old-fashioned snack. When we had the chance to find out more about Wahlberg’s peculiar habits, we needed to ask his new friend Wyndham Clark. The two have partnered up with Municipal—a clothing brand co-founded by Wahlberg—and now Marky Mark and Clarky Clark have gotten pretty close.

“He’s an amazing person and so fun to be around,” Clark said on The Loop podcast. “We’ve got to play golf a few times. I feel like he FaceTimes me every couple months, especially when I play well or when I’m not playing well. He’ll FaceTime me and do kind of a pep talk.

“Mark plays a ton, but also he didn’t really grow up with the game. The swing probably could use some work, but I think having all those muscles kind of makes it tough for him to swing.”

We’d love to hear those pep talks and know if Wahlberg goes full Masshole. If we’re setting an over-under on “wicked,” it would have to be O/U 10.5 for a 15-minute call.

It’s always great when famous people mingle, but more importantly, what about the golf? What’s it like teeing off with Wahlberg knowing he has a complete agenda planned down to the millisecond? Well, Clark had plenty to say about that as well.

“The funniest thing playing with Mark is the speed. Honestly, nothing else really matters. It’s about just playing fast. And so you usually ride in separate cars. You hit and you basically get in the car and you go and you get to your ball and a guy might still be hitting or you’ll be way ahead and you just go and then you get to the green and you almost sometimes don’t even know what you shoot.

“You’re just like, ‘All right well we played in an hour and 40 minutes let’s go work out or something.’ But it’s fun playing with him and he has so much passion for it. He does everything at a hundred percent.”

That’s kind of beautiful in an unorthodox way. It’s just about the golf for Wahlberg. No time for chit-chat or idle thoughts, just hit and run. One must wonder how many times the renowned actor has gotten stuck behind a slow group, shaking with anticipation to keep things moving. It would be a perfect situation to bust out his best line from “The Departed”: “I’m the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy.”

Main Image: Cliff Hawkins

The post Major winner breaks down budding friendship and bizarre golf outings with Mark Wahlberg appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

For all you Twitter haters, Wyndham Clark would like a word. And it wasn’t just the twin 65s he shot on the weekend that helped him rebound from an opening 75 to tie for 14th at the Olympics.

Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ who drew social media grief for even being on Team USA instead of current U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, made it clear that he earned his spot on the squad. He also wasn’t going to listen to any grief about him attending a handful of Olympic events instead of focusing on his golf. Clark started with three bad swings on his first three holes on Thursday to start the first round, sandwiching two bogeys around a double after putting the ball in the water off the tee on each hole.

“I think some of it wasn’t very justified because I was the third-highest ranked player for the U.S. to come here,” he said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with attending events or not attending events. This potentially could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to be able to go watch events, spend time in the village and get the full experience, may never get that again. So I wanted to make sure I did everything. I don’t regret anything I did. Once I got to Tuesday, I shut everything down and was ready to go.

After the three-over start on Thursday, Clark played his remaining holes 14 under par. A double bogey on 18 on Friday turned a 66 into a 68, but he finished the weekend by making 15 birdies for his last two rounds. Clark said he’s been battling slow starts in the big events much of the year. That includes missed cuts at the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship. Of course, he’s also had runner-up finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship and top 10s at the Travelers and Genesis Scottish Open.

“Starting poorly, that’s something I’ve really got to work on,” he said. “At least just get out of the gates somewhat solid. I feel like I can play good on the weekend.

“I played really good golf this week for 60 holes. I just had nine bad holes.”

Clark pointed to the USA on his golf shirt, citing that as motivation for the turnaround at Le Golf National.

“I think it’s more pride for myself and my country,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I showed up for my country. I didn’t want anyone to think that I was doing this as just an exhibition or just coming here to have fun. I was serious about it. I was very pissed after Round 1 because I wanted to medal. So I’m really bummed about it.

“But at the same time, I said this is for something greater than myself. It’s for my country and it also builds a lot of momentum for the Playoffs that we have coming up.”

Main Image: EMMANUEL DUNAND

The post After shooting consecutive 65s, Wyndham Clark doesn’t expect to hear from the haters who hammered his Olympic start appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Our beloved online community can be a lot of fun during big events like when Scottie Scheffler got arrested at the PGA Championship. But it can also be a cruel place that turns on players performing poorly. In a hurry.

Such was the case for Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ who earned his spot on Team USA through the Official World Golf Ranking. But many believed Bryson DeChambeau, the 2024 U.S. Open champ, should go to Paris instead based on current form. And it’s hard to argue with the latter based on Clark’s opening round. In particular, his first three holes at Le Golf National, where he failed to put his tee shot in play.

wyndham clark's first 3 tee shots of the day, welcome to le golf national pic.twitter.com/cY0j6WnenZ

— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) August 1, 2024

Yikes. Not that he’s the first American to struggle in Paris as Rory McIlroy alluded to earlier in the week. Clark actually shot even par the rest of the day, but his opening 75 left him 12 shots off the pace set by Hideki Matsuyama on a day filled with low scoring. Only two players in the field of 60 shot worse and Clark was five shots worse than any of his American teammates. Again, Golf Twitter did NOT go easy on him:

Wyndham Clark was going to struggle at Le Golf National. LACC it is not. pic.twitter.com/EYrRSTvwjv

— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) August 1, 2024

It’s almost like I know what I’m talking about?

Wyndham Clark DID NOT deserve to represent Team USA at the #Olympics. https://t.co/YoYiExh00N pic.twitter.com/rMqVA9NyjD

— Rickie Fowler Tracker (@Rickie_Tracker) August 1, 2024

Wyndham Clark should be nowhere near professional golf, let alone the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/DQ7KXQPJJG

— Thechek182 (@thechek182) August 1, 2024

If Wyndham Clark wanted the best for the USA Olympic team he would step aside as a participant pic.twitter.com/D673S5jR5p

— PGA/LIV Hot Takes (@PGALIVHotTakes) July 19, 2024

Clark, Wyndham

8-1-24 pic.twitter.com/q2AK9dNw0Q

— Byron Lindeque (@TheModelManiac) August 1, 2024

And, yes, there was plenty of Bryson support on there instead:

Bryson Dechambeau watching Wyndham Clark at the Olympics: pic.twitter.com/ammh5jSNwB

— Josh Wiesel (@Jwiesel13) August 1, 2024

USA really sent over Wyndham Clark instead of Bryson for the Olympics..

he's currently 2nd to last in the field.

— JJ Gruden (@TakingThePoint5) August 1, 2024

I can’t believe we as a country sent Wyndham Clark to the Olympics and not Bryson Dechambeau because of some dumb rule. Send this bum on a plane home already

— Derek Kudjer (@koojababy) August 1, 2024

Ouch. Hey, Wyndham didn’t make the rules for qualifying. He earned his spot here. But it’s unfortunate that Clark isn’t coming in with better form. In the four majors in 2024, Clark finished T-56 in his U.S. Open defence and missed the cut in the other three, including round of 78 and 80 at the Open Championship a couple weeks ago.

Wyndham still has three more rounds to play in Paris, but things don’t look too promising. That doesn’t mean, however, that Clark still can’t enjoy his first Olympics experience. He just might want to stay off Twitter while he’s in Paris.

Main Image: Kevin C. Cox

The post Wyndham Clark’s brutal start at the Olympics did NOT go over well with Golf Twitter appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.