Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, delivered an impressive performance on the first day of the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, scoring a five-under 67. The Florida-based golf course proved to be quite a challenge, with strong winds, thick rough, and firm greens making any under-par score a commendable feat.
In contrast to Clark’s performance, other players such as Max Homa and Cameron Young struggled, finishing nine over and ten over respectively. The stark difference in scores underlines the challenging nature of the course and highlights Clark’s skill level.
Clark, who has a respectable track record at Bay Hill, appeared to enjoy the challenge. He came second to Scottie Scheffler at the same tournament a year prior and gave the world number one a run for his money at The Players Championship.
Reflecting on his first-round performance, Clark shared his thoughts on the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational. He noted with a hint of regret that his excellent performance last year coincided with Scheffler’s dominant form. “It’s unfortunate. I had a few tournaments last year that if Scottie wasn’t in the field I would have won,” Clark confessed. However, he added that he was still pleased with his finishes.
Looking forward, Clark expressed hope for some redemption in the coming weeks, perhaps subtly hinting at his desire to outperform Scheffler. The world number one had a tough time dealing with the difficult conditions at Bay Hill, finishing one under after the first day.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Clark is off to a promising start and will be looking to capitalize on his early momentum. He secured the T15 spot at The Sentry and T16 at the WM Phoenix Open. His performance at TPC Scottsdale was particularly noteworthy, as he set the pace in the first round with a score of 64. However, his performance waned over the weekend.
This pattern has been a recurring issue for Clark. Despite starting off strong, he often loses steam as the tournament progresses, falling out of contention. As the tournament continues at Bay Hill, a course he clearly enjoys, it will be interesting to see if he can maintain his high level of performance across all 72 holes.
Should Clark manage to keep up the pace this week, he will be a heavy favorite at next week’s Players Championship, where he narrowly missed out on the top spot a year ago. With his Denver roots and undeniable talent, all eyes will be on Clark as he seeks to make his mark in the world of professional golf.
