Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, is rarely afraid to precise his opinion.
Whether or not it’s his exuberant self-confidence—he as soon as proclaimed himself a greater participant than Rory McIlroy—or his declaration that the greens at Pinehurst No. 2 had been “borderline” unplayable forward of this yr’s U.S. Open, Clark doesn’t shrink back from revealing his true beliefs. Love him or detest him, one should marvel at this actuality. He’s blunt, will get to the purpose, and doesn’t shrink back from questions.
That features queries about LIV Golf, too. This previous February, Clark admitted that he virtually joined the Saudi-backed circuit final winter.
“I positively met with LIV and went via these discussions. I wished to see what they might carry to the desk,” Clark mentioned after successful the rain-shortened AT&T Pebble Seaside Professional-Am.
“I finally declined to go to LIV as a result of I felt like I nonetheless had a variety of issues left within the tank on the PGA Tour. I need to chase information; I need to chase world rating. My dream is to attempt to be one of many high gamers on this planet, if not the highest participant. I simply grew up all the time imagining successful PGA Tour occasions.”
“Finally, I selected my legacy over LIV.”
Quick-forward eight months, and the ‘No Laying Up’ podcast—top-of-the-line in golf media—invited Clark to look on its present. Host Chris Solomon requested Clark about quite a few matters, however in direction of the tip of the episode, the topic of LIV Golf unsurprisingly arose.
The game stays splintered, however many gamers—on either side—lengthy for the professional recreation to rekindle and finish its present schism. Clark is amongst those that really feel that manner.
Therefore, Clark defined how LIV Golf stars may return to the PGA Tour.
“I feel it depends upon who it’s,” Clark mentioned.
“Guys which have had careers the place they need to be lifelong PGA Tour gamers, I feel they deserve the precise to have the ability to come play on the PGA Tour. I feel guys that possibly left and didn’t have that pedigree and profession—I don’t know—I feel these are the fellows that I’d battle with as a result of they made their determination, proper? In order that they selected to go play there, take the cash, and I feel that’s what a variety of us wrestle with.”
So, who’re these people who needs to be lifelong PGA Tour gamers?
“If Dustin Johnson needs to come back again, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks [Koepka], and guys who’ve gained majors, they need to play wherever the hell they need as a result of they’re so good,” Clark added.
“However there are these different guys I battle with as a result of then we have a look at it going, man, a variety of us had an opportunity to take the cash. And if we 100% knew we may take the cash and are available again, then all of us would have finished that as a result of all of us would have been manner richer.”
Quite a few stars, such because the aforementioned Johnson, Mickelson, Koepka, in addition to Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Jon Rahm, obtained a reasonably penny from the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF) to hitch LIV Golf. The PIF reportedly gave Rahm greater than $400 million.
But, these gamers stay barred from enjoying in PGA Tour occasions.
“I simply hope that we’ve all one of the best gamers enjoying collectively and that it really works out to the place it’s mutually useful for everybody concerned,” Clark mentioned.
“It is a powerful query, however on the finish of the day, I actually attempt to simply concern myself with what I can management. If I’m enjoying my finest golf, no matter what occurs, I’m going to have a spot to play.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
