Rory McIlroy’s rival Wyndham Clark has revealed he is dealing with a back issue ahead of the Masters.
Rory McIlroy’s golf rival and fellow major winner Wyndham Clark has had his dreams of competing in The Masters next month put into question due to a serious injury.
The current US Open champion has shared that he’s struggling with a concerning back issue ahead of the Houston Open at Memorial Park on Thursday. This week, the 30 year old could only practice his chipping and putting.
Clark kicked off the season with a win at the ATandT Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, which was shortened due to rain. He then secured second place twice, at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players.
The late-bloomer caused a huge stir in golf last year when he appeared to call out McIlroy after joining the elite bracket of major winners, by expressing his belief that he was better than the Northern Irishman during an interview with Golf Channel.
Wyndham Clark addressed his links to LIV Golf
Clark appeared to call out McIlroy last year and publicly stated his belief that he thought he was a better player.
After rising to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking, the three-time PGA Tour winner is preparing for his first appearance at The Masters at Augusta National next month.
Most bookmakers have priced Clark at 25/1 for the year’s first major, placing him 10th in the betting. However, they will be closely watching his performance at the Memorial Park Golf Course in Texas this week to see how his body copes over four rounds.
Despite his back issue, Clark remains hopeful after bringing in his medical team. But fans are likely worried that he won’t be at his best when The Masters starts in just two weeks.
“I threw [my back] out,” Clark revealed on Wednesday. “I was in pretty bad shape yesterday, but luckily, I have a fantastic team that has helped me to be able to swing and hit.
