Wyndham Clark has his sights set on Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler after a terrific 2026 season.
Clark has been the standout player on the PGA Tour in 2026, with three wins to his name, including the US Open and a FedEx Cup playoff event.
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It’s fair to say that the 32-year-old American is currently leading the Player of the Year race.
Wyndham Clark experienced all sorts of problems in 2025, so for him to bounce back in the manner that he has done this year really is hugely impressive.
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In spite of his incredibly successful season this year, the six-time PGA Tour winner is still not on the same level as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
That may well come with time, but right now, Clark still has a lot to learn from the best two players in the game.
Wyndham Clark is learning a skill which Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler possess
Just last week, McIlroy highlighted how close the Player of the Year race is between Clark and Scheffler, and the award will almost certainly be handed to whichever of those two players win at East Lake.
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If neither of them win, Clark is the man who should be named as the PGA Tour’s best player in 2026, in my opinion.
Whatever happens, though, Clark has enjoyed an incredible 2026 season.
While speaking to ESPN, Clark explained how much he has learned recently about closing out golf tournaments when he’s been in contention to win.
“It’s amazing what happens mentally when everything off the course is taken care of,“ the 32-year-old admitted.
“I am very happy, I have an amazing girlfriend who has been by my side. Mentally I have been working on a lot of things.
“I have limited the distractions and it’s amazing when you have everything taken care of off the course, when you are on the course all you can really do is focus on golf.
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“It makes it really easy. You go week to week and you are fine tuning things and next thing you know you are in contention and you might not win, but you’re thinking you are so close.
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“Then you break through and win and as you continue to play you start building off that momentum. What is fun is that the more opportunities you give yourself to win, the more comfortable you get in that position.
“It’s not surprising that guys like Rory and Scottie usually win when they are in contention on the weekend because they get used to it and they love it.
“I am starting to learn how to do that and starting to feel more comfortable.“
Patience is a virtue for Wyndham Clark
The two-time US Open champion went on to explain how remaining patient while in contention to win during final rounds is so crucial.
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“Honestly I wasn’t as focused yesterday [Sunday at the BMW] as I had been for the first three days, but in my past I have had good Thursdays and Fridays I just maybe did not take care of it on the weekend,” Clark explained.
“Saturday I just got really into a groove and separated myself from the field and then Sunday I did not have my best, but I just stayed patient.
“In years past I might have lost my cool or gotten impatient and turned that into a second, third or fourth placed finish.
“Instead I just stayed patient and waited and waited and said I can’t miss every putt, I am going to make a birdie. Then it came in bunches at the end.“
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