U.S. Open Champ Takes a Dig at DeChambeau, but Is It Warranted?

For the second year in a row, we have a LIV Golf star atop the leaderboard at Augusta.

Last year, Brooks Koepka shared the lead with eventual champion Jon Rahm. This year, Bryson DeChambeau had the leaderboard all to himself after shooting a 7-under 65 on Thursday.

Wyndham Clark, the reigning U.S. Open champ who took Scottie Scheffler to the 72nd hole at THE PLAYERS Championship last month, struggled down the stretch to card a 1-over 73.

Despite being eight shots behind DeChambeau, Clark said he felt confident that he could come back.

😵🎥 #WATCH — After an opening round 73, Wyndham Clark takes a shot at LIV Golfers saying he should be able to catch leader Bryson DeChambeau: “Yeah, we’ve got 54 holes. In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances.”

(Via: @GolfDigest)
pic.twitter.com/AbyYVDwEim

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 11, 2024

“Yeah, we’ve got 54 holes,” Clark said afterward.

“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.”

Interestingly enough, the same type of things were said last year after Koepka’s hot start. However, the 2023 final leaderboard was littered with LIV Golf members in the top five: Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied for runner-up with Patrick Reed fourth. DeChambeau also finished fourth at the PGA Championship, which Koepka won.

So while Clark may be having some fun or trying to play some mind games, there’s no reason to think that an extra 18 holes is going to bother DeChambeau or any other potential contenders from LIV Golf. 

Wyndham Clark running into Bryson DeChambeau at the bar tonight pic.twitter.com/DQMQxagRWc

— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) April 12, 2024

Clark is in the midst of his first Masters, whereas DeChambeau has never finished higher than 21st at Augusta.

Cover Image via X