CNN
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Strolling up the ultimate fairway at Quail Hole on Sunday, victory all however assured, Wyndham Clark made a acutely aware effort to take in all of the sights and sounds round him. Moments later, the American tapped dwelling to clinch the Wells Fargo Championship and his first ever PGA Tour title.
“You solely can win your first event as soon as,” Clark mirrored, however this was a victory performed out in his creativeness numerous instances.
“It’s surreal, I’ve dreamt about this since I used to be most likely six years outdated,” Clark advised reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Since I’ve been on the PGA Tour, you fantasize about it on a regular basis, and I’ve carried out it a number of instances this 12 months the place I catch myself daydreaming about successful.
“To do it at this golf course towards this competitors is healthier than I may ever have imagined.”
The way of victory was the stuff of desires too, as Clark carded 19-under to seal a four-shot victory over compatriot Xander Schauffele, ranked 75 locations above him at world No. 5. It marked the second-lowest rating in relation to par within the occasion’s historical past, second solely to Rory McIlroy’s 21-under in 2015, in keeping with the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, making his first begin since lacking the lower at The Masters, completed 31st in a star-studded discipline that includes six of the world’s high 10.
A last spherical three-under 68 sealed the 29-year-old Clark’s fourth consecutive spherical within the 60’s, a composed nearer after a scintillating 63 on Saturday had given him a two-shot lead over Schauffele heading into the closing spherical.
Having turned professional in 2017, Clark was 5 years and 133 PGA Tour begins with out a win. After ending sixth on the Corales Puntacana Championship within the Dominican Republic in March, the American started to suppose that he would possibly by no means style victory.
“I do know that sounds loopy as a result of I’ve solely been out right here 5 years, however I had a number of possibilities to the place I used to be inside two or three pictures both going into the again 9 or beginning on a Sunday and I at all times appear to fall brief, and never solely that, however seem to be I fell again in positions,” Clark admitted.
“There was a number of texts and calls and instances after I was so pissed off with individuals in my camp the place I didn’t suppose I’d ever win and I used to be like, ‘Let’s simply cease speaking about it,’ as a result of I didn’t wish to give it some thought. I stated perhaps that’s simply not within the playing cards for me.
“So being within the place this time, I used to be like, ‘Effectively, we all know what to not do.’”
These classes have been examined instantly Sunday, as Clark opened with a bogey and remained at one-over approaching the eighth tee. Nonetheless, a subsequent birdie, adopted by 4 extra throughout the primary six holes of the again 9, noticed him cruise dwelling.
When he rolled dwelling his closing bogey, Clark regarded overcome with emotion. After embracing his caddie and Schauffele, he seemed to be holding again tears as he saluted the group gathered on the 18th.
Victory secured Clark the $3.6 million winner’s prize – dwarfing his previous-best payday of $485,000 – and stamped his ticket to the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in July. It additionally noticed his world rating soar 49 locations to No. 31.
It fulfilled a dream that nearly by no means bought off the bottom. When a 19-year-old Clark was establishing himself as a proficient participant at Oklahoma State College, his mom died of breast most cancers.
Clark misplaced his “rock” and significantly thought-about strolling away from the game completely.
“I used to be enjoying terribly,” Clark recalled. “There’s many instances after I stormed off the golf course in qualifying or in tournaments and simply drove as quick as I may, I didn’t know the place I used to be going.
“The strain of golf after which not having my mother there and somebody that I may name was actually robust for me. Then professionally, I’ve had a number of moments like that the place you simply, you miss a number of cuts in a row otherwise you really feel like your sport is nice and also you’re not getting a lot out of it and also you simply ponder doing it [walking away].
“Max Homa has an incredible quote: ‘Each golfer’s one shot away from pondering they will win the Masters or one shot away from quitting golf.’ It actually is a superb quote as a result of that’s the reality. I’m glad I caught it out and am right here now.”