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Wyndham Clark is playing in his first Masters this week, and he brought some shots to spare.
After shooting a 1-over 73 in Thursday’s opening round, the reigning U.S. Open champion threw some shade at the LIV Golf circuit, which plays 54-hole tournaments compared to the PGA Tour’s 72.
The 30-year-old will have to catch up in Friday’s second round as he entered eight strokes behind the leader —- and LIV golfer — Bryson DeChambeau.
“Yeah, we’ve got 54 holes [to go],” Clark said when asked about DeChambeau. “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 seven under; I can do that tomorrow.”
That a LIV Golf player sits atop the leaderboard after the first round may not be that surprising, though.
Last year’s green jacket winner, Jon Rahm, joined the rebel tour in December, and fellow LIV players Tyrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Brooks Koepka are among those who could move their way up the leaderboard before the second round is over.
Rahm’s repeat bid got off to a rocky start, as the Spaniard struggled on the back nine on Thursday, finishing the day with a 1-over 73.
“It’s a difficult golf course. That’s all I can say,” Rahm said. “It’s not easy. You’re not really having the luxury out there of being able to miss shots, especially tee shots. Unfortunately on that back nine, I missed a few too many shots.”
He was not alone in dealing with the rainy, windy conditions that induced some rough play.
Clark, however, is feeling positive about getting to use the extra 18 holes to his advantage as he tries to become the first player to win the Masters in his debut since Fuzzy Zoeller 45 years ago.
“I was pretty calm. I felt great out there,” he said. “If I played the par 5s a little better and maybe make one or two putts here and there, we’d be having a different interview right now. I felt like I played great. My game feels good.”
Clark tees off on Friday at 2 p.m.