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The last time golf fans saw a major, last month’s US Open in the LACC, Windham Clark was coming off the 18th green as champion.
The 29-year-old shocked the golf world with the win, dazzling viewers with a finish that seemed fitting for a Hollywood setting. And while Clark has become the coup since—with many fans jumping on board his bandwagon—he’s focused on continued success, not just one big victory.
“We had a great year,” he said. “I will continue to focus on what helps me give the best I can, and then let the results take care of themselves.”
Although Clark’s win in Los Angeles was considered unlikely, he entered this week’s Open Championship with the top 20 odds to win (+5000), tied with other champions like Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott, and ahead of players like Justin Thomas (+5500) and Hideki Matsuyama (+6500).
Despite the rise in fame and popularity, Clarke realizes that it is important to remain consistent, and reminds himself to avoid changing his personality or competition mindset.
“If it happens [change]He said, “I hope someone punches me in the face and says, ‘Go back to the way I was.'” I really hope nothing changes.
“I think it feeds my confidence and belief in myself. Obviously some things change, my situation and how well people know who I am. But as a person, I don’t think — I hope I don’t change.”
But it’s different to be the hunter versus the prey.
With the latest major championship on his resume, Clark knows there are expectations about the way he plays. Go back about a month ago, and that wasn’t the case.
With more interest filtering his way, people want to know how Clarke will handle Royal Liverpool.
Coming off a tied 25th-place finish at last week’s Scottish Open (which was also played on a links course), Clarke said he’s fond of the tough course and unpredictable weather – so he’s ready for the test this week.
“I love golf links. I think it’s the purest test of golf,” he said. “It’s more fun than any other golf we’ve had around the world, just because every day is so different.
“The winds may be coming from the same direction, but each hole seems to have a lot of variety,” he added. “You get into different spots where there is one hole—the same hole you might hit an 8-iron; the next, it might be a 4-iron, or you might be near the green. I like variety.”
Windham Clark’s Approach to the Open Championship
Anyone who has played golf courses knows that the uniqueness of the layout requires modifications. Most of these changes revolve around keeping the ball low, ensuring that the shot is not affected by any wind. Add in the stiffness of the turf, and balls with a heavy topspin tend to roll the extra distance.
Clarke is well aware of this, and has revealed how the challenging path at Royal Liverpool FC forces him to “more plan and strategize”.
“Well, you hit more shots with different winds, trying to make sure you’re comfortable with the wind coming in from the left, the wind coming in from the right, the wind coming in from the right,” Clark said.
“You’re working on some tee shots because you know there’s a prevailing wind and you know it’s going to be that way. It can be that way all week versus regular garden courses, especially in the US, [where] Three winds may blow all week or there may not be much wind; So you don’t have to worry about it too much.”
To help himself adjust to the uncontrollable weather, Clark broke down his exercise routine this week.
“There are a lot of holes where there will be three or four holes in a row off the left, so we will work on the range in preparation on those tee shots.
“You also work on a lot of late putts because you do — late putts and late putts — which you wouldn’t normally work on on golf courses. Normally, I would pull a 60-degree wedge and hit a disc low versus here to maybe keep it on the ground.”
Clark went on to compare the differences between the links course and the gardens course (which is typical design in the US), saying that the former required more planning.
“There’s a lot of planning and strategy that goes into golf links, and where you can and can’t be,” he said. “On golf courses, with the ability that guys have now on the PGA Tour, we can do anything from anywhere versus sometimes in golf links you almost can’t. There are certain places you can and can’t be.”
Clark understands the task before him.
Can he catch lightning in a bottle twice in about a month only to find himself lifting a claret decanter on Sunday? Will his preparation and confidence lead him to another major title?
who do you know But his focus and respect for Royal Liverpool will give him a fighting chance – and he still shines with a Championship tackle, an intangibility no one can overlook.