Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, isn’t 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 have been “borderline” unplayable forward of this yr’s U.S. Open, Clark doesn’t draw 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 draw 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 by these discussions. I wished to see what they may deliver to the desk,” Clark mentioned after profitable the rain-shortened AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am.
“I in the end declined to go to LIV as a result of I felt like I nonetheless had a whole lot of issues left within the tank on the PGA Tour. I wish to chase data; I wish 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 at all times imagining profitable PGA Tour occasions.”
“In the end, I selected my legacy over LIV.”
Quick-forward eight months, and the ‘No Laying Up’ podcast—among the best in golf media—invited Clark to look on its present. Host Chris Solomon requested Clark about quite a few subjects, however in direction of the top of the episode, the topic of LIV Golf unsurprisingly arose.
The game stays splintered, however many gamers—on each side—lengthy for the professional sport to rekindle and finish its present schism. Clark is amongst those that really feel that means.
Therefore, Clark defined how LIV Golf stars might return to the PGA Tour.
“I feel it is dependent 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 proper to have the ability to come play on the PGA Tour. I feel guys that perhaps 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 whole lot of us wrestle with.”
So, who’re these people who ought to be lifelong PGA Tour gamers?
“If Dustin Johnson desires to return again, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks [Koepka], and guys who’ve received 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 take a look at it going, man, a whole lot of us had an opportunity to take the cash. And if we 100% knew we might 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 means richer.”
Quite a few stars, such because the aforementioned Johnson, Mickelson, Koepka, in addition to Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Jon Rahm, acquired 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 now we have all the most effective gamers enjoying collectively and that it really works out to the place it’s mutually helpful 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 greatest 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 Enjoying Via. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
