Rory McIlroy and co likely to double-take at latest Wyndham Clark Ryder Cup claim
Team USA golfer Wyndham Clark claims the 2023 Ryder Cup team was closer than many were led to believe at the contest in Rome.
The 2025 Ryder Cup is 11 months away but it's likely Wyndham Clark's latest comments will raise eyebrows at European HQ.
Clark is making a habit of creating headlines when he talks about the biennial contest.
Before last September's duel in Rome, the 2023 U.S. Open champion personally called out Rory McIlroy.
Clark stressed that what he said was taken out of context but he was of the unwavering belief that, on his day, he had McIlroy's number.
The golfer also claimed that the Europeans were likely to run out of gas early after a number of their stars opted not to take a break in the build-up to the event.
Clark has since admitted the U.S. Ryder Cup team wasn't as prepared as they should be, given the majority of their team took six weeks off before a ball was struck at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Allegedly, there was also some disharmony among the ranks of the U.S. team.
Sky Sports reported during the second day of the 2023 contest that there was a split in the team, led by Patrick Cantlay.
Hours after that claim was made, thousands of European fans were goading Cantlay by waving their hats at the U.S. star.
Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava was also involved in an ugly exchange with the aforementioned McIlroy.
The evening session culminated in McIlroy being bundled into the back of a car by Shane Lowry as he tore into Jim 'Bones' Mackay for what he believed was poor sportsmanship.
A furious Zach Johnson denied it was the case that there was a split in the side, as did the rest of the team.
Related:
Clark has now claimed that the American side, in fact, were 'closer than the Europeans'.
"We are a very close team," he said after Jim Furyk's U.S. side cantered to another Presidents Cup victory.
"Contrary to what people thought last year at the Ryder Cup, we were in my opinion closer than the Europeans.
"The media tries to divide us apart, and this year we were just as close if not closer.
"We had so much camaraderie and positive energy between us.
"When things weren't going well, we still were all picking each other up.
"It was an amazing team room. So many laughs, so many fond memories."
Clark went 1-2-0 at the 2024 Presidents Cup. Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were the side's top points scorers.
"I think we all just have a little bit of dog in us is really what I'd say," Clark said when asked what made the U.S. side successful in Canada.
"I feel like we're the best players in the world for a reason, and I think you get us all together, and I just think we have a little extra something that maybe other people don't have. I think it's the little dog in us."
The 2025 Ryder Cup takes place at Bethpage Black in New York over 26-28 September.
What do you make of Wyndham Clark's comments?
Send us a message on X or join us on Facebook.
Player | Points | Record |
|---|---|---|
Patrick Cantlay | 4 | 4-1-0 |
Collin Morikawa | 4 | 4-1-0 |
Xander Schauffele | 4 | 4-1-0 |
Sam Burns | 3.5 | 3-0-1 |
Russell Henley | 3 | 3-1-0 |
Scottie Scheffler | 3 | 3-2-0 |
Keegan Bradley | 2 | 2-1-0 |
Tony Finau | 2 | 2-2-0 |
Wyndham Clark | 1.5 | 1-2-1 |
Sahith Theegala | 1.5 | 1-1-1 |
Max Homa | 1 | 1-2-0 |
Brian Harman | 0 | 0-3-0 |
Player | Points | Record |
|---|---|---|
Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 2 | 2-1-0 |
Corey Conners | 2 | 2-3-0 |
Si Woo Kim | 2 | 2-2-0 |
Hideki Matsuyama | 2 | 2-3-0 |
Taylor Pendrith | 2 | 2-3-0 |
Adam Scott | 2 | 2-3-0 |
Byeong Hun An | 1.5 | 1-1-1 |
Tom Kim | 1.5 | 1-2-1 |
Jason Day | 1 | 1-2-0 |
Mackenzie Hughes | 1 | 1-3-0 |
Sungjae Im | 1 | 1-4-0 |
Min Woo Lee | 0,5 | 0-1-1 |
