"I don't regret anything"- Wyndham Clark's unapologetic response to his critics at the Paris Olympics
Wyndham Clark endured a challenging start to the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first round didn't go according to plan. However, over the next three rounds, the 2023 US Open champion rebounded in style to finish in the top 15.
When news broke about the U.S. golf team's selection for the 2024 Paris Olympics, many fans on social media expressed disappointment over Clark's inclusion. They called for Bryson DeChambeau to take his place. They argued that Bryson DeChambeau would have been a stronger choice.
After the fourth round at Le Golf National, Wyndham Clark spoke to Golf Monthly.
"I didn't hear any of that but I knew some other stuff. I think some of it wasn't very justified because you know, I was the third-highest ranked player for the US to come here...," he said.
He added:
"This potentially could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to be able to go watch events, spend time in the [Olympic] Village and get the full experience, may never get that again. So I wanted to make sure I did everything right. I don't regret anything I did."
The Paris 2024 Olympic field was determined by the players' rankings in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Each country could send two competitors until the field of 60 was complete.
If a country had multiple players in the top 15, it could send up to 4 players. Only the United States had this option. Wyndham Clark was the third-highest-ranked American, behind Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. Collin Morikawa completed the team.
The Americans finished the event in the same order in which they qualified. Scheffler won the gold medal, Schauffele finished T9, Clark T14 and Morikawa T24.
A look at Wyndham Clark's Olympic golf performance
Wyndham Clark made a remarkable comeback at the golf event of the ongoing Paris Olympics. After a disastrous first round that left him outside the top 40, Clark rallied impressively to finish in a respectable position.
In that first round, Clark bogeyed, double-bogeyed and bogeyed the first three holes. The struggles continued with another bogey and double-bogey, though he managed to salvage the day with three birdies, finishing the round four over par.
Clark's fortunes dramatically improved on the second day. He showcased his talent with six birdies, offset by a single bogey and a double-bogey, bringing his tournament score to a much more respectable one over par.
On Day 3, the so-called "Moving Day," Clark dropped even further, carding a 65 thanks to eight birdies and a double bogey. In the last round, he shot a 65 again, finishing at 11-under thanks to seven birdies and one bogey.
Paris 2024 marked Clark's Olympic debut, adding to his impressive resume, which already included representing the United States in the 2014 Palmer Cup and the 2023 Ryder Cup.