Wyndham Clark Makes Surprising Ryder Cup Admission
Speaking at the Procore Championship, the World No.6 revealed that he felt the US Ryder Cup team 'weren't prepared' as they headed to Marco Simone last year
Wyndham Clark has enjoyed an excellent 18 months of golf, with the American claiming a Major scalp at the US Open, as well as two big titles in the form of the Wells Fargo Championship and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
During his best run of form in 2023, in which Clark won the US Open and Wells Fargo Championship, he also participated in his first Ryder Cup but, ultimately, his efforts and that of the US side weren't enough, as they succumbed to a 16.5 - 11.5 defeat at the hands of team Europe.
After the tournament was finished, many in the golf world pinned the lack of preparation on the US side for the result, with Sky Sports' Andrew Coltart calling the US team's preparation "disgraceful". Now, a year on, Clark himself has admitted that the Americans "weren't prepared" going into Marco Simone.
Speaking at the first PGA Tour FedEx Cup Fall event of 2024, Clark stated: "Last year it was realistically four weeks (break after the TOUR Championship) and then by the time you pegged it up to play, it was the fifth week, so it's five weeks. I mean, I would never prepare for a big event where I had five weeks off between one tournament to the next.
"I played actually in that round with Max (Homa) in the best ball (of the Ryder Cup) the first day. We -- like through four holes I said, 'man, I'm sorry', because I kind of was not playing good the first four holes. I said, 'I'm sorry, I'm not tournament sharp right now, I'll get into it'. Then eventually I started getting more comfortable".
Following the finale of the Tour Championship in August 2023, there was just one PGA Tour tournament in a month stretch, which was the Procore Championship. In that event, just two players from the 12-man Ryder Cup squad teed it up, with Justin Thomas and Max Homa finishing fifth and in a tie for seventh.
For the Americans, it's a similar story this year as, at the end of September, they will play against the International Team for The Presidents Cup. Once again, the Procore Championship is the only PGA Tour tournament between now and then, with Clark opting to play in Napa to not replicate the same mistake as last time.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
"I felt like a lot of us weren't prepared (for the Ryder Cup). This year for Presidents Cup it's less time, but I didn't want to do that again," admitted Clark, who then suggested "if it's something that I do myself or hopefully Team USA kind of makes it mandatory that everyone does it, I think we should all play before.
"I know we have such a grueling schedule and we all just played the Tour Championship, but if we can just do, it's just one more week to play and to keep us sharp so that we can win, I think it's worth it."
At the Procore Championship, Clark, Homa and Theegala are the three players from Team USA teeing it up, whilst Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Min Woo Lee are three individuals from the International side.
To add further, International stars Byeong Hun An, Si Woo Kim and Adam Scott will play the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour the week before the Presidents Cup, which gets underway at Royal Montreal Golf Club on Thursday 26th September.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Mark Roe Facts: 14 Things You Didn't Know About The Sky Sports Golf Broadcaster
Discover more about the former European Tour winner and Sky Sports Golf commentator via these facts regarding his life and career so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
David Howell Facts: 20 Things You Didn't Know About The English Golfer And Broadcaster
Discover more about English professional golfer and Sky Sports presenter, David Howell via these facts regarding his life and career so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Hero Who Tried To Save Brian Harman's Son From Drowning In Coma As Open Champion Asks For Prayers Ahead Of RSM Classic
The incident occurred at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in October while Harman was away from his family competing on the Asian Tour
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
5 Big Things To Know About The New PGA Tour Changes
The PGA Tour Policy Board and Player Advisory Council have signed off on a number of changes which will come into effect as early as January 2025
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Why Are We Making This So Hard?' - Hunter Mahan Says One Simple Change Would Help PGA Tour Promote More Leading Young Talent
While the PGA Tour U Rankings help one college golfer each season earn a direct path to the top table, Mahan does not believe it goes far enough...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
RSM Classic Prize Money Payout 2024
Ludvig Aberg defends his RSM Classic title as the PGA Tour season concludes at Sea Island Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
How All 10 DP World Tour Graduates Fared In The 2024 PGA Tour Season
Robert MacIntyre won twice while Matthieu Pavon also earned a big tournament victory...
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Just Days After The Birth Of His First Child... Rafael Campos Is A PGA Tour Winner
Campos became only the second Puerto Rican to win on the PGA Tour days after becoming a father for the first time
By Mike Hall Published
-
Sahith Theegala Gifts Caddie $50,000 Watch After Best Season To Date
After finishing third in the FedEx Cup standings, Theegala gifted a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch to his caddie, who has been with him since his rookie season
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Report: PGA Tour Player Disqualified After Being 'Not In Place To Play' At Bermuda Championship
Raul Pereda was disqualified from the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Saturday morning, reportedly due to the 28-year-old not being in place to play
By Matt Cradock Published