ST. LOUIS — Wyndham Clark believes he is one of the best players in the world, and now at No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, he has that statistical marker to buttress his claim. Whether he is the best player on the PGA Tour this year is determined by his peers, but Clark undoubtedly strengthened his case.
After relinquishing all of his five-stroke lead through 54 holes to reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Clark summoned a reserve of resourcefulness to birdie the final three holes and post a three-stroke victory Sunday in the BMW Championship. The hard-fought win in the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs tied Chris Gotterup and Matt Fitzpatrick for the tour lead with three wins this season, but Clark’s resume includes his second U.S. Open title in June at storied Shinnecock Hills.
“I mean, obviously Scottie's the best player in the world right now. I don't really know,” Clark, 32, said when asked if he strengthened his candidacy for the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA Tour Player of the Year. “Honestly, I didn't even think about it coming off such a terrible year. Didn't even think about player of the year. I was more just wanting to get back into contention, wanting to make it to East Lake. And then I win, and win a major and then it's like, OK, now I want to make the Presidents Cup team.
“So, yeah, I mean, honestly, this has all come pretty quick, and I honestly hadn't really thought about it. So hopefully that maybe is in the cards, but if not, I'm just really pleased with how the year's gone.”
Well, he should be after a truly abysmal 2025 season that saw him fall in popularity as well as world rankings with poor play and his regrettable response to it. In rescuing a tournament that was slipping away, Clark showed real guts to scratch out an even-par 70 at Bellerive Country Club. He finished at 17-under 263 to James Gilbert
“It's hard to win. It's obviously hard too when you're up by five,” Clark said. “You feel like the only thing you can do is blow it, essentially, unless shoots something really low. What's funny is I felt good with my swing, I just wasn't hitting good shots. I was really proud of myself that I didn't let it get away. Even though it seemed like it did, I was still mentally there and then finished strong.”
Clark can’t seem to find a crowd wholly in his corner, but he hopes that changes at the Presidents Cup at Medinah. “Yeah, if I don't get love at the Presidents Cup, as a USA guy, then I don't know, I might move to Mexico or something,” he said with a forced laugh.
The key thing is that he loves how his game has turned around this year. It’s been a good year—the best year of his career. Cheers are optional.
“I know everyone maybe gives me a hard time and roots for other people, but I feel like I've kind of come into my own,” he said. “Three wins in one season is my best year yet. Coming off my worst year ever. Yeah, I'm just really pleased where I'm at right now.”
