After clinching the 2023 U.S. Open, PGA Tour player Windham Clark seemed poised to elevate his career. Yet, that momentum didn’t quite play out as many expected. Last Sunday, he secured his first PGA Tour victory since February 2024 by winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, finishing an impressive 30 under par and beating Kim Si-woo by three strokes.
There’s an old saying in golf: “Some tournaments you win, and some you lose.” Clark put on a phenomenal show, shooting an astonishing 11-under 60 in the final round. He nearly scored an eagle on the last hole, which would have granted him a rare sub-60 round—a feat achieved by only 15 players in PGA Tour history.
Kim arrived at the final round with a two-stroke advantage over Clark and Scottie Scheffler. He performed well, shooting a solid 6-under 65, but it wasn’t enough to contend with Clark’s remarkable play. This victory was firmly in Clark’s grasp rather than a missed opportunity for Kim.
This win was a notable turnaround for Clark, especially since he didn’t qualify for the PGA Championship earlier this month. It had been quite a while since he won anything, with his last triumph coming at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2024, and his last 72-hole tournament win before that being at the U.S. Open.
A month prior to that major win, he earned his first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship. In February 2024, Clark made headlines when he shot a course record 60 to lead in the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, though the final round was cut short due to rain, giving him a win after 54 holes.
Clark was close to a significant victory at the 2024 Players Championship, finishing tied for second. To put it in perspective: a 29-year-old who began his PGA Tour journey winning three titles in less than a year—one being a major—and almost clinched a fourth, even earning a spot on the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Still, with newfound success came heightened expectations, both from fans and himself. Yet, the transition from 2023 to 2024 wasn’t seamless for Clark. As he turned 32, his performance dipped, and he graduated to just two top-10 finishes in 24 tournaments throughout 2025. He missed qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and even made news for damaging his locker in frustration at Oakmont Country Club.
During a post-round chat with CBS golf reporter Amanda Balionis, Clark reflected on his struggles. This latest win is a significant milestone for him, especially after being left out of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Although he did manage a top-five finish at the 2025 British Open, he’s missed the cut in half of his last ten major appearances. His T4 at the British Open stands as his only top-10 result in a major since winning the U.S. Open.
Clark’s next shot at rekindling that magic will come at the 2026 U.S. Open, set to commence on June 18 at Sinek Hills Golf Club.
