2023 Open Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Hoylake

Wyndham Clark’s best Open Championship result is T-76th in 2022.

That would be concerning if it weren’t for the fact that that was the American’s debut at this event.

A lack of high finishes in majors didn’t occlude him from going out and winning the 2023 U.S. Open. Clark earned his second career pro victory in style, making a clutch two-putt on the 72nd green to outlast Rory McIlroy by one at Los Angeles Country Club.

Clark was already a daily fantasy favorite due to his consistently high finishes in the past 12 or so months. The former collegiate standout at Oklahoma State and Oregon broke through for his first win this spring at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Clark didn’t just win at Quail Hollow. He blitzed the field. Clark posted 19-under-par on a major championship-caliber venue to beat Xander Schauffele by four and the rest of the field by seven-plus.

Clark played well at the next designated event to take T-12th at the Memorial Tournament. That preceded his win at the U.S. Open.

Despite the fatigue from his career win at LACC and a cross-country flight east, Clark admirably posted T-29th the next week at the Travelers Championship.

The 29-year-old Coloradan finally got some well-earned weeks off to rest. He returned to action last week at the Genesis Scottish Open where he posted four rounds of par or better en route to T-25th. An even-par 70 in blustery conditions on Sunday was a good way to gain momentum heading to Royal Liverpool.

“I’d say if anything changed since winning, it’s more just more belief in myself that I can do it,” Clark was quoted in a SI.com article. “Belief that I can continue to win at the highest level.”

Clark also took T-16th at the 2022 Scottish Open. His game has proven adaptable to different course styles, including links.

Clark ranks 14th on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained per round (1.401). He’s Top-50 in every SG category and is eighth in driving distance (314.5).