Wyndham Clark carded 1-over in his first competitive round at Augusta National.
When asked if an 8-shot deficit to leader — and LIV golfer — Bryson DeChambeau is insurmountable, Clark brushed off the suggestion.
“We’ve got 54 holes,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said. “In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances.”
Clark played his first nine in 3-under before stalling on his way in.
The Colorado native bogeyed Nos. 11 and 18, while using 7 shots to play the par-5 15th.
“If I played the par-5s a little better, and maybe make one or two putts, we’d be having a different interview right now,” the 30-year-old said. “I felt like I played great. My game feels good. Just got to make some putts and tighten it up on the par-5s.”
On Augusta’s four easiest ranked holes, the World’s No. 4-ranked player shot 2-over, with pars on Nos. 2, 8 and 13, while finding the water at No. 15.
He 3-putted No. 8 for par.
“That’s probably the biggest takeaway,” Clark said. “You play that 2-under, it’s a totally different round.”
Clark played four practice rounds leading up to the tournament and said each were completed “in perfect weather.”
That wasn’t the case Thursday.
With gusts up to 30 miles per hour, Clark sprinted up the hill at No. 18 to mark his ball that was hovering on the green’s top shelf.
“It’s really hard to make putts when it’s blowing 20 and gusting,” he said. “You’re trying to time the putt with the gusts.”
Clark played alongside Viktor Hovland and Cameron Smith, who each bettered par with 71.