Golf-Clark hopes to jump-start sluggish season at U.S. Open

Travel + Leisure

10/06/2024 23:32

By Rory Carroll
       June 10 (Reuters) - Wyndham Clark is frustrated with the
state of his game and just looking to produce four solid rounds
when he starts his U.S. Open defence this week at Pinehurst
Resort in North Carolina. 
    The American was the major tournament's surprise winner last
year when he held off Rory McIlroy on the back nine for a
one-stroke victory at Los Angeles Country Club.  
    Despite winning February's Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which was
cut short after 54 holes due to weather, he is not brimming with
confidence following missed cuts in three of his last five
starts including the Masters and PGA Championship. 
    "I haven't been playing my best golf," Clark told reporters
on Monday. 
    "It's been kind of a tough stretch these last few weeks.
Really I'm trying to gain some momentum for the rest of the
season. I know that maybe sounds like low expectations for the
week, but honestly I'd love to just gain some momentum.
    "I'd really like to hit some good shots, have some really
good up and downs, make some key putts throughout the week, and
play four solid rounds."
    He said his frustration level is higher than normal in part
because the excellent form he has in practice has not shown up
when he needs it most. 
    "It's kind of a bummer," he said. 
    "It's the great thing about golf: there's always another
week. I've got to believe that good golf is around the corner."
    The U.S. Open is known as golf's toughest test and the
speedy greens at Pinehurst No. 2 will challenge even the world's
best, Clark said after Monday's practice round. 
    "The greens are extremely fast and penal. You hit it on the
green, the hole is not done. I was just amazed how fast the
greens are," he said. 
    "If they get any firmer and faster they'd be borderline.
They already are borderline."

 (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
 ((Rory.Carroll@thomsonreuters.com Follow me on Twitter
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