Wyndham Clark nursing back injury ahead of 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

HOUSTON — If it weren’t for Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark may have three victories in as many months to begin the 2024 PGA Tour season.

The World No. 4 won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am thanks to his third round 12-under 60, a new course record at the famed links. In his previous two starts, Clark has finished runner-up to the World No. 1 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship.

At TPC Sawgrass, he nearly holed a putt on the final hole to force a playoff between him and Scheffler.

This week, arguably the two hottest players in the world will again tee it up at the Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, their final tune-up before the Masters in two weeks.

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However, there was a time this week when Clark thought he wouldn’t play. During a workout Monday in Scottsdale, Arizona, Clark tweaked his back. He flew to Houston early Tuesday but could only putt and chip. He didn’t take any full swings until Wednesday, and even then he had to work through soreness.

“I threw it out,” Clark said. “I was in pretty bad shape yesterday, but fortunately I have a great team that has gotten me to be able to swing and hit. I did a bunch of rehab, and I was able to hit balls today. So just in a short time I’ve improved a ton, and I think I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

Clark said he got caught in an awkward spot doing a lift, and his back gave out. He said it’s not something that happens regularly, but he’s trending in the right direction.

He even thought he may have to withdraw.

“I wanted to give it my best effort,” Clark said. “I had a dinner last night that I wanted to be a part of and I knew I was playing with kids today that were battling after heart transplants and cancer, so I wanted to make sure I could be here for that.

“I’m going to give it my best effort tomorrow and hopefully I can play and compete. If not, I’ve got to get ready for tournaments to come after this.”

Clark tees off at 1:53 p.m. ET Thursday playing alongside defending champion Tony Finau and Si Woo Kim.