Wyndham Clark has low expectations about defending his US Open title as he struggles to get his game back on track.
The 30-year-old has yet to make a cut in a major this year despite an impressive start which saw him win at Pebble Beach in February and finish runner-up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship the following month.
But in his last six events since mid-March he has three missed cuts with just one top-five finish and he admits world number one Scottie Scheffler 鈥 who enters this week off the back of his fifth win of the season 鈥 is making the game look easy.
“See you in a week!” ? arrived in his this morning to return the trophy.
鈥 U.S. Open (@usopengolf)
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 been playing my best golf. It鈥檚 been kind of a tough stretch these last few weeks. Really I鈥檓 trying to gain some momentum for the rest of the season,鈥 he told a press conference.
鈥淚 know that maybe sounds like low expectations for the week, but honestly I鈥檇 really like to hit some good shots, have some really good up-and-downs, make some key putts throughout the week, and play four solid rounds.
鈥淢y frustration level is definitely higher than it鈥檚 been in a long time. I鈥檝e got to believe that good golf is around the corner.鈥
Despite his recent troubles Clark is still ranked fourth in the world but he is not in the top 20 when it comes to the bookmakers鈥 likely winner at Pinehurst this week, with his odds as high as 66-1 with some outlets.
He accepts he has to improve the psychological side of his game.
鈥淭he difference I think between the guys that really make it and enjoy the game, have a long career, they鈥檙e just better mentally than everyone,鈥 he added.
鈥淚 have to work on my expectations, just not putting so much pressure on myself.
鈥淕uys like Scottie right now are making it look real easy. There鈥檚 a lot of other guys that struggle a lot of the weeks of the year and play good maybe just a few events.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely challenging. It鈥檚 obviously frustrating for me that I鈥檓 not as consistent right now.鈥
Mental health has become a serious talking point since Grayson Murray, born just 70 miles away in Raleigh, walked out of a tournament just over a fortnight ago and took his own life.
Clark accepts the PGA Tour, often criticised for its lack of camaraderie, can be a lonely place and those involved in it should start looking out for each other more.
鈥淭he unfortunate thing for what we do is it is so lonely and it鈥檚 very difficult.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in many low spots where you have some negative thoughts which you don鈥檛 ever want to have.
鈥淭here are those really lonely times when you miss the cut, you throw your clubs in the car, you drive off, and you鈥檙e very p***ed off.
鈥淚n reality I鈥檇 say 80 per cent of the field storms off pretty p***ed off after a lot of the rounds.
鈥淎s far as the amount of help and stuff that guys have out here, we have unlimited resources, to be honest.
鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 more of maybe the caddies and the players maybe checking in on each player. Being like, 鈥楬ey, man, how are you doing?鈥. Not just, 鈥楬ow are you playing golf?鈥.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 more maybe on the players to take initiative to do that.鈥
Adam Scott has played in every major for the past 23 years ?
He has the longest active streak at 92 straight.
Next closest? Jordan Spieth with 43.
鈥 PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
Australia鈥檚 Adam Scott will extend his run of consecutive majors to 92 despite missing out on qualifying in a play-off last week.
He needed to be inside the world鈥檚 top 60 to earn a spot but after skipping the Memorial Tournament he slipped to 61st on Monday only to gain a place as Murray was removed from the list.
Fellow former Masters champion Sergio Garcia 鈥 now playing on the LIV Golf Tour 鈥 will play his 25th consecutive US Open as one of four alternates from final qualifying.
