PINEHURST, N.C. — Wyndham Clark is hoping to recapture the momentum he had when he won the U.S. Open a year ago at Los Angeles Country Club.
Of course, that was the pinnacle of his career so far.
However, his recent performances have not convinced anyone to bet on him becoming a national champion again.
Clark enters this week’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst having missed the cut in his last two tournaments, at the PGA Championship and Memorial, and in three of his last five starts.
“My frustration level is definitely higher than I’ve felt in a long time,” Clark said Monday. “It’s just a little disappointing. I haven’t played my best golf. The last few weeks have been kind of tough. I’m just trying to get some momentum going into the rest of the season. It might sound like I have low expectations this week, but I’m just trying to get some momentum going, honestly.”
Clark spoke candidly about the effect golf has on a player’s psyche, and also touched on the death of PGA Tour player Grayson Murray, who committed suicide on May 25.
“This is obviously a very sad and tragic event,” Clarke said. “The unfortunate thing about our job is that it’s very lonely and very difficult and I think players, myself included, are too tied to the scores and the results. [because] The game of golf is really frustrating and difficult.
“It’s a really lonely time when you don’t qualify and you throw your clubs in the car, drive off and you’re so angry. Of course, on TV you see the players playing great. [and] This game seems amazing. In fact, after many rounds, I would say 80 percent of the participants walk away pretty angry. That’s the nature of the game. That’s why it’s a mental game.
“It’s lonely. I’ve been down a lot of times and have had negative thoughts that I never want to have. Golf can make you do that. You have to do your best not to let that happen.”
As Clarke gained more experience playing the game, he said he learned “there’s a huge range of skill levels and the difference between the players who are really successful and enjoy the game and the ones who have long careers is that they’re mentally better than anyone else.”
Clark has to look at the bigger picture after a season that included a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, runner-up finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship and third-place finish at the RBC Heritage.
Clark has been training with mental coach Julie Elion for the past year and attributes much of her success (two wins last year) to her guidance, so despite her recent lackluster results, Clark is looking to move forward with a positive mindset.
“The great thing about golf is there’s always another week,” he said. “You have to trust that good golf is right around the corner. I’ve been a little disappointed with my play lately. Every time I stand on the practice tee and hit a good shot, it reminds me that I still have a lot of good stuff to play in practice. It makes me feel like I’m not that far away. I just have to carry that into the game.”
“Hopefully that will happen this week and get me off to a good start playing some good golf the rest of the year.”
