Wyndham Clark came into the Masters as the highest ranked debutant ever – but the world No. 4 had no trouble sounding off at the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour on Thursday.
Following his first round at the Masters on Thursday, Wyndham Clark criticized LIV Golf for only playing 54 holes.
The player ranked fourth in the world, making their debut as the highest-ranked ever in the event, had a score of 1-over par.
Despite starting strong with three birdies on the front nine, Clark struggled with two bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine. “However, Clark, who surprised everyone by winning the US Open last year, is confident in his ability to make a comeback and reach the top of the leaderboard.
It will be a challenge for him, though, as Bryson DeChambeau shot an impressive 7-under to take the lead after the first day.”
When asked if he can get back on top despite being eight shots behind, he replied: “Yeah, we’ve got 54 holes. In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances. We’ve got a lot of golf left. As you can see, someone shot 7-under. I could do that tomorrow.”
Clark is of course pointing to the fact the Saudi-backed breakaway league only play 54 holes, such is their name, over three days instead of 72 over four like in the PGA Tour. It is particularly damning giving the fact LIV Golf star Koepka led for the first 54 holes of the Masters last year.
That was until Jon Rahm, then of the PGA Tour, came from behind to pip the American. Despite his poor back nine, Clark insisted he wasn’t nervous about the event whatsoever.
“I was pretty calm. I felt great out there,” he said. “Like I said, if I played the par-5s a little better and maybe make one or two putts here and there, we’d be having a different interview right now. I felt like I played great. My game feels good. Just got to make some putts and tighten it up on the par-5s.”
The weather conditions were difficult at Augusta National due to winds exceeding 20mph.
Clark believed that the reason for his missed putts was the challenging conditions, stating that it is hard to determine the correct timing for putts when confronted with powerful gusts.
He highlighted the importance of considering both wind and breaks, which adds difficulty to putting.
Clark admitted that although a few golfers managed to sink their putts, the challenging weather conditions posed obstacles for everyone playing on the course.
He mentioned that the day was particularly tough for him personally. He stated that he performed exceptionally well on the first nine holes, except for the three-putt on the 8th hole.
He also remarked that he was playing solidly on the majority of the back nine, apart from the two par-5s. He emphasized that he feels it is not overly challenging to gain knowledge from the experience.
He acknowledged that the conditions were tough at the moment. He noted that it was slightly easier in the morning when the wind wasn’t as strong, but now it’s very challenging.