‘Bryson [DeChambeau] Screwed Again’: Wyndham Clark’s Polarizing President’s Cup Pick Sparks Intense Fan Backlash

‘Bryson [DeChambeau] Screwed Again’: Wyndham Clark’s Polarizing President’s Cup Pick Sparks Intense Fan Backlash

In the BMW Championship held at Castle Pines Golf Course, Wyndham Clark, a native of Colorado, encountered a mix of triumphs and tribulations throughout his rounds. His performance in the first round was marked by notable inconsistency. Clark finished the round at even par, with a rollercoaster back nine that featured two double bogeys, two bogeys, three birdies, and one par. This erratic play set the stage for a challenging tournament. While Clark showed improvement in the subsequent two rounds, it was the fourth round that proved to be the most difficult for him. In that final round, he ended with a score of 2-over par, which included three bogeys, one double bogey, three birdies, and ten pars. This mixed performance resulted in Clark finishing T13 at Castle Pines, but he secured a commendable 6th place overall in the FedEx Cup Rankings, which earned him an automatic spot on the President’s Cup team.

 

The President’s Cup, which is scheduled to take place next month, had its qualification period conclude following the BMW Championship. Consequently, Wyndham Clark’s performance at Castle Pines was instrumental in his qualification. Despite this, Bryson DeChambeau, a prominent golfer who has been performing exceptionally, was not included in the President’s Cup team. This decision has sparked significant debate among golf fans and commentators.

 

DeChambeau’s absence from the team has led to a wave of dissatisfaction among U.S. fans. The general sentiment is that, given his recent achievements, including leading his LIV Golf team, Smash GC, to the top of the standings and winning the U.S. Open this year, he deserved a spot on the team. The frustration is compounded by DeChambeau’s lackluster performances in the Olympics and the 2023 Ryder Cup, which further fuels the desire for the best American golfers to be included in the President’s Cup team. Fans expressed their discontent on social media, with some users criticizing the decision to include Wyndham Clark instead of DeChambeau. One Twitter user voiced their frustration by stating, “Bryson screwed again. Get Brooks on there too,” highlighting their belief that the best players should represent Team USA.

 

The crux of the controversy lies in the President’s Cup being a PGA Tour-owned event. Unlike the Ryder Cup, which features both PGA and European Tour players, the President’s Cup excludes LIV Golf participants due to the ongoing rivalry between the tours. This separation has created a situation where a uniform ranking system is absent, making it challenging to objectively compare players from different tours. Some commentators have pointed out that the current system inadvertently favors players from the PGA Tour. One user reflected this sentiment by stating, “Wyndham Has to love LIV Golf,” suggesting that the exclusion of LIV golfers benefits PGA Tour players. Another echoed this frustration with, “It is a set up and I hope they crash like Ryders — until a fair uniform system the whole thing is a sham.”

 

On the other hand, there are critics of Wyndham Clark’s inclusion who question his suitability for the competition. These critics argue that Clark’s performance has been inconsistent, as evidenced by his varied results at Castle Pines and his OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) performance. His track record, including finishing outside the top 30 in ten events, has led some to doubt his readiness for such a prestigious event. Comments such as “Wyndham needs to go” and “Is there a cut for Wyndham to miss?” reflect this perspective.

 

Despite the mixed reactions, Wyndham Clark will indeed be part of the President’s Cup team, joining other selected players such as Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, and Xander Schauffele. The team will compete at the Royal Montreal Golf Club from September 24 to September 29. The final composition of the team will be determined by the captain’s picks, which will complete the twelve-member roster.

 

In conclusion, the selection process for the President’s Cup has elicited a range of opinions from golf enthusiasts. The inclusion of Wyndham Clark and the exclusion of Bryson DeChambeau have sparked a debate about fairness, tour rivalries, and the criteria for selection. As the tournament approaches, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out on the international stage.