Windham Clark Ends Title Drought with CJ Cup Victory

Windham Clark played impressively in the final round of the CJ Cup, securing a significant victory over notable players like Scottie Scheffler and Si-woo Kim. It’s been a tough period for Clark, who hadn’t seen the winner’s circle since February 2024. The former U.S. Open champion’s final round of 60 marked a much-needed turnaround for him, adding an impressive title to his resume.

As for TPC Craig Ranch, where Clark performed so well, it’s likely to be remembered for more than just his triumph. The golf course in Dallas, following a $25 million makeover aimed at challenging elite players, seems to have missed the mark. Clark finished the tournament at an incredible 30 under par, with plenty of others, seven in total, also exceeding 20 under par for the week. Given this, some fair criticism of the course is warranted.

Tiger Woods Takes Time Off

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods reportedly headed back to Switzerland after a brief stay in Florida, possibly to continue his rehabilitation process. Although there’s been a lull in LIV Golf activity, the organization is actively trying to reel in hundreds of millions from new investors.

Windham Clark’s Unique Accomplishments

Winning at places like Quail Hollow, Los Angeles Country Club, Pebble Beach, and now TPC Craig Ranch, it’s hard to find four golf courses that are more different. Yet, these are the venues where Clark has hoisted trophies throughout his PGA Tour career.

Sure, some might dismiss Clark’s achievements as mere luck, but a closer look reveals his ability to excel on a variety of courses. This was expected especially after his win against Rory McIlroy at the 2023 U.S. Open. While consistency has eluded him since then, it’s worth noting that he briefly held the world’s No. 3 ranking in April 2024. With a powerful drive and glimpses of outstanding short game skills, it’s his putting that often determines his success.

When his putter struggles—something he’s faced a lot lately—it’s a real issue. But when it’s working, as it was in Dallas, he can dominate the field, like he did at TPC Craig Ranch. This week, Clark led in Strokes Gained: Putting, gaining nearly 4.5 shots on the greens in his final round, making his impressive 11-under 60 achievable.

A Course in Transition

“They said they didn’t want to win anymore at 30 under, so I told them not to worry,” Lanny Wadkins remarked regarding the renovations at TPC Craig Ranch. After Scottie Scheffler’s impressive 31 under at the 2025 CJ Cup, it was clear the course needed tweaking. Wadkins and his team took on the renovation project, which cost over $1 million per hole, yet Clark managed to secure victory with a final score of 30 under.

Interestingly, Si-woo Kim also shot a brilliant 60 in the second round, while Scheffler almost made history by not posting a single hole with a five until he finally did on the 12th hole during Sunday’s round. However, despite the renovations, neither the PGA Tour nor Wadkins could control the weather. After heavy rains, the conditions on the course were exceptionally favorable, allowing players to manipulate their shots, and the lack of wind played right into their hands.

From the perspectives of Tour officials and dedicated golf fans, it seems that TPC Craig Ranch still isn’t quite meeting expectations. While the atmosphere during the event looked lively, members playing there in the future might see it differently—challenging and fun, sure, but certainly not standard for TPC designs.

LIV Golf Seeks New Investors

Looking to the future, LIV Golf is on the hunt for new investors after Saudi Arabia announced plans to withdraw funding post-2026 season. Recent reports suggest they are pitching a fresh idea based on a schedule of 10 global events, reducing their 2026 calendar to 12 events in total.

They’re reportedly aiming to secure between $250 million to $350 million to keep operations afloat, with expectations of securing profitability within three years. This new approach seems to focus on engaging fans who attended past events in Australia and South Africa, which were notably successful.

However, there are whispers about potential bankruptcy preparations on the horizon. The term “bankruptcy” isn’t exactly what you want floating around when trying to attract investors. LIV’s upcoming event is set for South Korea on May 28, but it’s unclear what the future holds for the organization.

With so much uncertainty, LIV Golf really needs a life raft—or at least a sizeable yacht. But even if they manage to acquire one, it’s hard to say who will continue their journey or if they’ll look to return to the PGA Tour instead.