Rory McIlroy and co likely to double-take at latest Wyndham Clark Ryder Cup claim

With 11 months to go until the 2025 Ryder Cup, Wyndham Clark’s recent comments are sure to raise eyebrows at European headquarters. The U.S. Open champion has developed a reputation for making bold statements about the biennial event, and his latest remarks are no exception.

Before the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, Clark stirred controversy by calling out Rory McIlroy. He later clarified that his comments were taken out of context but stood by his belief that, on his best day, he could beat McIlroy. Clark also suggested that the European team might run out of steam early in the competition, as many of their top players did not take a break leading up to the event.

In hindsight, Clark has acknowledged that the U.S. team was not as well-prepared as they should have been, noting that many of his teammates took six weeks off before the competition at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Reports of discord within the U.S. team also emerged, with Sky Sports claiming a rift led by Patrick Cantlay. That rumor led to a memorable moment during the second day of the 2023 Ryder Cup, as thousands of European fans taunted Cantlay by waving their hats at him.

The tension escalated further when Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, had a heated confrontation with McIlroy, culminating in McIlroy being hurried into a car by teammate Shane Lowry after a verbal altercation with Jim “Bones” Mackay, who McIlroy accused of poor sportsmanship. Despite the rumors, U.S. captain Zach Johnson, along with the rest of the team, denied any split in the squad.

Now, Clark has doubled down, claiming that the U.S. side was actually “closer than the Europeans” during the Ryder Cup. “We are a very close team,” he said following another U.S. victory at the Presidents Cup under captain Jim Furyk. “Contrary to what people thought at the Ryder Cup, we were, in my opinion, closer than the Europeans. The media tries to divide us, but we had so much camaraderie and positive energy. Even when things weren’t going well, we were picking each other up.”

Clark described the U.S. team room as full of laughs and fond memories, despite his own 1-2-0 record at the 2024 Presidents Cup. Top performers for the U.S. team in Canada included Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa.

Reflecting on what made the U.S. team successful, Clark said, “I think we all just have a little bit of dog in us. We’re the best players in the world for a reason, and when we come together, we have that extra something. I think that’s what sets us apart.”