In the 50th iteration of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Wyndham Clark found his rhythm in the second half of his second round. Despite a fairly average start, Clark, who is currently the reigning US Open champion and ranks fifth in the world, managed to secure four consecutive birdies, propelling him into a state of seamless performance often referred to as ‘the zone’. By the end of his round, he recorded a remarkable score of 30 on the back nine to follow his initial score of 35, resulting in consecutive 65s and a combined 14-under-par 130.
Clark’s total of 130, over the initial 36 holes, matches his personal career-best halfway score on the PGA Tour, as well as registering as the second-best opening total in The Players Championship’s history. Only Webb Simpson in 2018 and Jason Day in 2016 have surpassed this record, both of whom went on to win the tournament.
While the spectacles of Clark’s play were almost unparalleled, Shane Lowry did put on an impressive display in the later stages of the round. Lowry, free from the threat of being cut, succeeded in securing three birdies in his last five holes, scoring a total of 70 to pair with his opening score of 71. This 3-under-par 141 comfortably places him into the weekend, alongside Séamus Power, who has seen a positive return in form following a hip injury that emerged at last year’s Scottish Open.
The current world number one and defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, is trailing Clark by six, with a total of 136. However, there are concerns about Scheffler’s ability to clinch back-to-back championships, especially with news of a neck injury casting a shadow over his upcoming performance.
Clark, the golfer who marked his significant major triumph last year at the US Open held at the Los Angeles Country Club, and achieved victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am earlier this year with a phenomenal closing round of 60, revealed the thrilling rhythm he’d found during the back nine. Clark expressed his exhilaration over breaching expectations in the latter half of the game and harnessing a newfound focus, which subsequently led him to deliver a remarkable score.
Now at 30, Clark has elevated his skill and standing since his first notable victory on the tour at Wells Fargo in the previous May. Presently, with three professional triumphs on the PGA Tour under his belt – Wells Fargo, the US Open and Pebble Beach – along with a leap into the top five of the world ranking, Clark is striving for regular consistency. He aspires to emulate Scottie Scheffler’s impressive and consistent performances in this and the previous seasons.
“I have set my sights on achieving regular excellent performances. Scottie’s gameplay this year and in the prior one has certainly been an inspiration for me, setting a benchmark to strive for. He keeps delivering compelling performances every week, and my goal is to maintain such consistency. Considering our current schedule, big events are the prime focus, adding another layer to this challenge,” Clark elaborates, whose impressive ascend in world rankings is evident as he gears up for his inaugural Masters tournament at Augusta next month.
He could potentially be the reigning Players and US Open champion by then. Clark’s six birdies and three pars on his second round back run suggests growing confidence and self-assurance, while his decision to retain his swing and equipment has evidently paid off.
Clark asserts, “Frequent changes can be counterproductive, an issue I’ve encountered myself. One setback, and doubts creep in about needing to alter everything. After five years on tour, I’ve come to realise that constancy is critical – in golf clubs, practice routine and consequently, overall gameplay.”
Clark is leading into the weekend at Sawgrass with the potential to secure a multi-million-dollar payout. However, he is being closely tailed by other high-quality competitors, with Scheffler being among them. Scheffler, fresh off his recent victory at Bay Hill’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, is preparing to defend his winning streak. However, a recent neck problem may pose some challenges.
Scheffler explained, “After hitting a shot during my second hole, I noticed a slight pain in my neck which continued to worsen as I tried to make my tee shot on 12. I struggled through the day to maintain my swing despite receiving medical intervention which eased the pain a bit.”
Meanwhile, Clark’s excellent form was demonstrated by consecutive scores of 65, offering him a clear lead of five strokes over rejuvenated players, Matt Fitzpatrick and Maverick McNealy, holding 135. Among those Schmid of Germany, benefits from the DP World Tour’s PGA Tour card awards, placing him and Scheffler holding a score of 136.
In contrast, Rory McIlroy struggled to maintain consistency in the initial stages of his second round which saw an inconsistent sequence of hits bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-bogey in his first six holes.