‘Darth Vader had more fun’: Wyndham Clark embraces villain position after BMW Championship win

ST. LOUIS –

Wyndham Clark was not the fan favourite this week at Bellerive Country Club. Nor was he the group’s selection at Shinnecock Hills two months in the past on the U.S. Open.

Whether it was the massive leads he took into each, the truth that the chasers within the tournaments had been Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the betting implications, or the residual unfavourable emotions towards Clark’s previous conduct, Clark has emerged from every because the villain.

He’s additionally been victorious in each.

Clark stated it finest earlier this week: “Darth Vader had more fun.”

Oh, Clark’s been having loads of enjoyable. The two-time main winner grabbed his third victory of the yr at this week’s BMW Championship. He salted away a five-shot lead however regained it when it mattered most, birdieing the final three holes to grab the lead again from McIlroy and assert himself within the Player of the Year race once more.

The win is Clark’s sixth of his profession, and as finest as he can recall, he has felt just like the underdog in every. There was the time Clark beat out Xander Schauffele at Quail Hollow, and the U.S. Open he snatched from McIlroy and Rickie Fowler. Even Clark’s 2024 Pebble Beach win got here with some baggage when it ended after 54 holes resulting from climate.

He’s getting used to the sensation of being the underdog.

“They still treated me great,” Clark stated of the St. Louis crowd, whereas acknowledging that a few of his poor photographs acquired cheers on Sunday. “I just think, I mean, Rory’s earned the right to be a fan favorite. So, you know, I embraced it.”

Clark went via worse on the U.S. Open in June. The Long Island crowd was noticeably towards the previous champion, rooting for Clark’s six-shot result in dwindle. There, Scottie Scheffler was chasing the profession Grand Slam, too.

“Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive,” Clark stated after the U.S. Open. “You know, some of it’s self-deserved. I kind of brought it on myself, but I also get it, too.”

Clark was referring to the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, when he smashed two lockers, annoyed after lacking the minimize. He apologized a number of instances afterward, however his actions have caught with individuals. Clark hoped to alter that notion, and up to date wins are beginning to patch that relationship again collectively.

Clark will even be a part of the Presidents Cup U.S. Team on dwelling turf at Medinah. He locked in an computerized qualification spot with the victory. He expects help there.

“If I don’t get love at the Presidents Cup, as a USA guy, then I don’t know, I might move to Mexico or something,” Clark stated, laughing.

It could possibly be factor. Clark is growing fairly the observe file of delivering when everyone seems to be towards him.