Wyndham Clark: U.S. Ryder Cup team 'unprepared' in Rome
Wyndham Clark recently commented on the U.S. Ryder Cup team's performance in Rome, suggesting they were "unprepared" due to a lack of competitive play leading up to the event.
Key Points:
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Break Between Events: Clark highlighted that there was a five-week gap between the TOUR Championship, which ended on August 27, and the Ryder Cup, which began on September 29. He pointed out that he would never usually prepare for a major event with such a long break in between, suggesting that this might have contributed to the U.S. team's struggles.
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Lack of Competitive Reps: Clark noted that he did not play in any fall events, such as the Procore Championship in Napa, before heading to Rome. This lack of competitive reps left him feeling "not game fit" when he began play at the Ryder Cup. He recalled feeling rusty during a Four-Ball match with Max Homa against Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre, where he apologized to Homa for not being "tournament sharp."
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Call for Better Preparation: Reflecting on his experience, Clark expressed the need for better preparation for future events like the Presidents Cup, which takes place at Royal Montreal from September 26-29. He suggested that either individually or as a team, U.S. players should consider playing in an event prior to major international competitions to stay sharp.
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A Change in Approach: Clark hopes Team USA will make it mandatory for players to compete before such events, despite the demands of a busy schedule. He believes that an extra week of play could help keep players in top form and improve their chances of winning.
Clark’s comments reflect a broader discussion on how the U.S. Ryder Cup team could better prepare to compete internationally, particularly when facing formidable opponents like Team Europe.
