Wyndham Clark’s Journey: Triumphs and Challenges

Following his 2023 U.S. Open win, PGA Tour player Wyndham Clark seemed poised for greater success. However, the anticipated breakthrough did not fully materialize. On a recent Sunday, Clark clinched the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, marking his first PGA Tour win since February 2024. He scored 30-under for the event, beating Si Woo Kim by three strokes.

Clark’s performance was remarkable, especially during the final round where he shot an 11-under 60. He nearly achieved an eagle on the 72nd hole, which would have been a historical round of 59. Only 15 players in PGA Tour history have achieved such a feat, highlighting Clark’s near accomplishment.

Kim began the final round with a two-shot advantage over Clark and Scottie Scheffler. Despite shooting a strong six-under 65, Kim was unable to match Clark’s near-record performance. This clearly was a tournament Clark claimed with his skill, rather than Kim losing it.

Wyndham Clark celebrates with the trophy after winning The CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

For Clark, this victory marked a significant rebound. He had missed the cut at the PGA Championship earlier that month and hadn’t secured a tournament win since the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His last 72-hole win was at the 2023 U.S. Open.

Clark’s rise began with his first PGA Tour win at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship. In February 2024, he won at Pebble Beach, setting a course record with a 60 in the third round. Weather shortened that tournament to 54 holes, solidifying Clark’s win.

Clark nearly won the 2024 PLAYERS Championship, finishing second. The 29-year-old’s unprecedented year saw him win three PGA titles, including a major, and he joined the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Wyndham Clark reacts after making a birdie on the 17th hole green during the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.

But success brought new pressures from fans and Clark himself. The momentum from 2023 to 2024 didn’t continue into 2025. That year, Clark didn’t come close to winning, recording only two top-10 finishes in 24 tournaments. He missed the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open, where an incident involving locker damage at Oakmont Country Club caught attention.

Clark addressed his past difficulties in an interview with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis. This latest win is a crucial step, especially after being left off the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Yet, Clark’s performance in key tournaments needs enhancing. While he placed in the top-5 at the 2025 Open Championship, he has missed the cut in five of his last 10 major appearances. His T4 finish at the Open is the only major top-10 since his 2023 U.S. Open victory.

Clark’s next chance to advance his career arrives during the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club starting June 18. Dan Zaksheske, a reporter at OutKick, provides these insights.