Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, is rarely afraid to specific 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 nearly joined the Saudi-backed circuit final winter.
“I undoubtedly met with LIV and went by way of these discussions. I needed to see what they may carry to the desk,” Clark stated 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 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 successful PGA Tour occasions.”
“In the end, I selected my legacy over LIV.”
Quick-forward eight months, and the ‘No Laying Up’ podcast—probably the greatest 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 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 relies on who it’s,” Clark stated.
“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 possibly left and didn’t have that pedigree and profession—I don’t know—I feel these are the blokes that I’d battle with as a result of they made their choice, proper? So 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 desires to return again, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks [Koepka], and guys who’ve gained majors, they should 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 variety 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 completed 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, obtained a reasonably penny from the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF) to affix 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 the most effective gamers enjoying collectively and that it really works out to the place it’s mutually useful for everybody concerned,” Clark stated.
“It is a robust 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 Enjoying By means of. Make sure to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
