Wyndham Clark drills patron with errant tee shot at 2024 Masters

Wyndham Clark's tee shot on the third hole during the opening round of the 2024 Masters was off target - and a patron paid the price. 

Clark's drive struck a patron in the head at Augusta National's drivable par-4. 

In the end, his golf ball ended up in a favourable lie and he was able to take full advantage, pitching close before converting the birdie putt. 

The reigning U.S. Open champ was of course deeply apologetic to the dazed spectator and signed a glove to say sorry. 

After his birdie putt dropped, he acknowledged the patron. 

Although one X user who clipped and re-shared the moment accused Clark of not shouting 'fore'. 

Things got better for Clark on the front nine as he made birdies at the seventh and ninth holes to race up the leaderboard. 

However, his back nine was a struggle and he dropped four shots to post an opening round of one over 71. 

Clark is a Masters rookie but many golf fans believe he could contend at the 88th Masters given his pedigree over the last two years. 

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The 30-year-old has gone toe-to-toe with world number one Scottie Scheffler on multiple occasions this year on the PGA Tour. 

Clark still believed he could get back into contention after the opening round and he caused a stir by taking a bizarre dig at early leader and LIV Golf pro Bryson DeChambeau. 

"We've got 54 holes," Clark said.  

"In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances. We've got a lot of golf left. 

"As you can see, someone shot 7-under. I could do that tomorrow."

Wyndham Clark hitting his trademark driver slice wide right and doesn't even yell FORE.

Ends up clocking a patron deep in the gallery.#themasters pic.twitter.com/Mu01gDkdAm

— Freddie Jones (@GolfDropout) April 12, 2024

It didn't go unnoticed that Clark secured a 54-hole victory on the PGA Tour in February. 

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was reduced owing to inclement weather which handed him the victory. 

Clark has also gone on record to confirm he held negotiations about joining the rival league.

The American said he ultimately decided to choose chasing a legacy by staying put. 

At least for 12 months. 

He previously said: "My dream is to try to be one of the top players in the world if not the top player. 

"I just grew up always imagining winning PGA Tour events. So I ultimately, I chose my legacy over LIV ... that’s really what it came down to.

“I don’t know what the future holds with my career and what the PGA Tour and LIV is going to do, but at least for this season I am 100 per cent set on the PGA Tour and I want to try to get to as high in the world as I possibly can."

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