AUGUSTA, Ga. — Wyndham Clark carded a 1-over 73 in his first competitive round at Augusta National Golf Club in the 2024 Masters.
When asked whether an 8-shot deficit to leader — and LIV golfer — Bryson DeChambeau is insurmountable, Clark brushed off the suggestion.
“We’ve got 54 holes,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said. “In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances.”
Clark played his first nine in 3 under before stalling on his way in.
The Colorado native bogeyed Nos. 11 and 18, while using 7 shots to play the par-5 15th.
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“If I played the par 5s a little better, and maybe make one or two putts, we’d be having a different interview right now,” the 30 year old said. “I felt like I played great. My game feels good. Just got to make some putts and tighten it up on the par 5s.”
On Augusta National’s four easiest ranked holes, the World’s No. 4 player shot 2-over, with pars on Nos. 2, 8 and 13, while finding the water at No. 15.
He 3-putted No. 8 for par.
“That’s probably the biggest takeaway,” Clark said. “You play that 2-under, it’s a totally different round.”
Clark, one of 20 first-timers at the Masters, played four practice rounds leading up to the tournament and said each were completed “in perfect weather.”
That wasn’t the case Thursday.
With gusts up to 30 miles per hour, Clark sprinted up the hill at No. 18 to mark his ball that was hovering on the green’s top shelf.
“It’s really hard to make putts when it’s blowing 20 and gusting,” he said. “You’re trying to time the putt with the gusts.”
Clark played alongside Viktor Hovland and Cameron Smith, who each bettered par with 71.