BMW CHAMPIONSHIP

August 23, 2026

Wyndham Clark

Bellerive Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We would like to welcome Wyndham Clark, the winner of the 2026 BMW Championship you made it exciting. Started with a five-stroke lead. Got back into the run of the mill with everybody else, but then you came home with a fire. Just talk about that day and what that means to you.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, all for the TV viewership, right (laughing). Yeah, man, it was very stressful day. I just really didn't have my stuff mentally. Not that my game was off, I just kind of wasn't focused and just was making some dumb mistakes. Didn't make any putts. But I kept telling myself, hey, if you told me before the week with 10 holes to go I would have a one- or two-shot lead, I would take it. If I was tied with six holes to go, I would take it, regardless of what happened coming into the day. I think that helped keep me in the moment. Rather than being bummed, kind of look at it as an opportunity. Then, fortunately, finally had a putt drop on 16 and then that propelled me to birdie the last two.

THE MODERATOR: This is your sixth PGA TOUR victory, but third this season. You said out there that the PGA Championship was when you felt something click, despite missing the cut at that tournament earlier this year. But then after that you have just been on this wave that you've been riding. How do you explain that?

WYNDHAM CLARK: I kind of found -- I was playing good earlier in the year, I just wasn't making putts. Then I fine found the putter that I love. Yeah, right before I played the PGA Championship I shot a few rounds in the low 60s, felt really confident going into the PGA. I hit driver terrible but hit everything else good. Made putts, barely missed the cut. Most people would be bummed and down on themselves, which I was, but I also was really confident because I'm like, Man, if we just figure out driver, I'm going to be playing some good golf. And sure enough, I didn't know if would come that quick, but the next week started hitting driver straight and shot 30-under. And ever since I won I kind of had the confidence and really felt like my game was in a good spot. And then, yeah, kept it going.

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with questions.

Q. With Rory already hitting a nice shot into 16, what club did you hit, and what was the significance of the shot, along with the putt, obviously.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Rory hit a 5 and I saw him hold it up and it was perfect. Rory is one of the best long-iron players, hits it really high. I kind of told myself I can do the same thing. And I said this shot actually favors me more, because I hit a cut and he hits a draw. I hit a high 5-iron, went a little farther than I thought. But yeah, I thought putting that shot roughly the same distance as him was a big deal. There's some stuff that you do out there that, I wouldn't call it poor gamesmanship, but when it gets close to who is who, sometimes there's strategy in who goes first. Earlier in the day Rory was going first and made putts on me, and then I missed. So then when we got up to 16 we kind of didn't know who it was and I said, It's me. So I went, made the putt. And whether that did anything or not, sometimes putting the pressure on the guy can, you know, be difficult. So I thought that was a big thing for the momentum for me to make that putt and kind of put the pressure on him to make his.

Q. (No Microphone.)

WYNDHAM CLARK: Oh, it was, okay, good. So then no harm, no foul.

Q. You mentioned mental or maybe lacking some focus. Can you pinpoint why that was the case early on?

WYNDHAM CLARK: I mean, it's hard to keep your focus for four straight days. I think sometimes when you have a 5-shot lead the mindset going in sometimes you fast forward, you just want to be on the last few holes, right? So the hardest thing is to stay in the present. I just kind of was quick mentally. Not that I was necessarily moving quick, I just was kind of making decisions quick, didn't have my targets as locked in as maybe I wanted.

Then putting, over the ball I was kind of unsure on some reads. So I just, yeah, I just wasn't focused kind of the first, I would say really the first eight holes.

Then on 9 going forward I started feeling a little bit more confident in my game. Unfortunate bogey on 10. But I just kept telling myself, I'm in a good spot, I'm in a good spot, that's where I want to be, and good things are going to happen.

Q. Can you compare and contrast holding a lead and how it went compared to the U.S. Open? Did any similarities in losing it coming back, did it feel different, did you play different, just kind of compare those two experiences?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean, I guess I'm making a habit of having a lead and then choking it away with after seven, eight holes. Yeah, I mean, I guess I always try to build off of experiences. I had that lead at the U.S. Open, and quickly it was tied or I was only one up. I found myself in a similar position. Yeah, you rely on previous tournaments that that's happened. My first win at Quail Hollow that kind of happened. I had a two-shot lead and then quickly was tied with Xander. Then made a birdie on 8. He made a mistake on 9. I birdied 10, parred 11. I just remember those moments going, Hey, if I just stay in there, I'm going to start hitting the shots, start making the putts. And I think that's where I matured mentally and in my game, that I didn't let it get away from me. Yeah, I wasn't great, and the momentum was all on Rory's side, but I knew that I just needed one little spark to get it on my side.

Q. Wondering, when Rory tied you at 11, did you, did that in some way kick in some competitive juices or even nervousness that actually, I don't know, in some ways maybe helped?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, for sure. I never really got nervous, it was weird, all day I didn't get too nervous. I just wasn't there mentally. So when he got it close, Dave my caddie said, Hey, our back's against the wall and that's when you play some of your best golf. He goes, This is fun. Let's just embrace it. Regardless of what happens, like, we've played great golf. We're going to be in the Presidents Cup team. We're in next week.

So sometimes stepping away from the moment and kind of realizing what's going on brings you back in moment in a good way. Yeah, I think it helped that Rory was pushing me and it kind of was starting to light the fire within, and then I finally got focused and made some birdies.

Q. We like to talk about a lot of different things, subjects that are of interest to fans and media and everyone else. Of course the Player of the Year race is very interesting this year. Do you need another win? You said you felt like you were one of the best players in the world. Are you the best player this year or do you need to do more?

WYNDHAM CLARK: I mean...

Q. It's not up to you, I know that.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I know it's not up to me. I mean, obviously Scottie's the best player in the world right now. I don't really know. Honestly, I didn't even think about it coming off such a terrible year. Didn't even think about Player of the Year. I was more just wanting to get back into contention, wanting to make it to East Lake. And then I win, and win a major and then it's like, Okay, now I want to make the Presidents Cup team.

So, yeah, I mean, honestly, this has all come pretty quick, and I honestly hadn't really thought about it. So hopefully that maybe is in the cards, but if not I'm just really pleased with how the year's gone.

Q. Going off that, is there a moment this season where you felt like that you were the best player in the world or it was just on that when you sink that final putt on 18?

WYNDHAM CLARK: I would say through the first three days of this event I felt like the best player in the world. Then today humbled me a little bit (laughing). But, no, I mean, like I said, I can't argue with Scottie. I mean, he's so consistent and he's far and away the best player in the world. I'm playing good golf right now. I would love to consistently do this for a few years and then maybe answer that question.

Q. You said out there that you were kind of out of it. I would like to know when you knew or felt like were you out of it, and what shot put you back in it?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Man, I would say after the second shot on 1. And then that lag putt, my mind was just racing. Then on some of the putts, like, for instance, the chip on 6, I didn't think it would be that firm. But then I had a relatively easy putt, about a cup out, and I just pounded it through the break. And I'm like, Man, I'm just not there mentally.

Then I would say the shot that kind of got me back in it was probably the shot on, what was that, 14. I hit it in the rough. Hitting that shot it was a very difficult shot to land and hold that green and judge the lie. To hit that and have a chance to make birdie. And I hit a nice putt, just misread it. I was like, Okay, I'm back.

And then I started hitting nice shots after that. And then obviously the birdie on 16 really got me out of it.

Q. We know Chasing Sunday had you wired up all week. Talk about that experience and how cool it is for fans to see a winner wired up for 72 holes?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I asked the guys, I said, Has anyone won doing this thing yet? And they said no. So it's kind of cool to be the first one to do that. I think it's an awesome thing for the fans to see what it's like inside the ropes, what we talk about. Hopefully I don't get cancelled. My caddie and I have some definitely funny conversations out there.

But I just think it's awesome that fans get to see that inside look and what we really think about, talk about. How serious and intense it gets, and then also how light hearted it is, and the relationships between other players. So it was a really cool experience, so, yeah, I would definitely do it again.

Q. We saw some massive crowds all week long here in St. Louis. How would you describe the environment this week and were you able to feed off of that at all?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean St. Louis is a huge sports town I've been a Cardinals fan most of my life. They're one of the best fan bases for baseball. I know for hockey they do a great job. Obviously when they had the Rams, same thing. So, for them to support golf as well, I knew that was going to happen and they said it was record breaking attendance for the event, which is not a shocker. It was really exciting today. I mean, every hole was lined with people. And obviously Rory's a fan favorite, but I still got a lot of cheers, and it created a fun atmosphere. And for us, that's the most fun when you're competing to win a championship and there's huge crowds and the extra energy that they bring. So it was awesome.

Q. Wondering about the 17th hole. You obviously go up the hole prior, but then you find the bunker. Rory's a little past. Maybe it seems like at least, between the two, Rory might have an advantage there, and kind of just chaos ensues from there. Can you talk me through the 17th hole for you and watching what he was doing and what you were doing.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean that tee ball, I thought I hit a great tee ball and I thought it was going to hold, hit, and kick right. Then obviously to find it right in that little finger of that bunker was kind of unfortunate. Then he covered it and he was in the rough. So, yeah, he definitely had the advantage.

Then I was pleased to get it out where I did. We walked a little bit ahead and then to see that he hit it in the left bunker I was like, Ooh, now it's kind of in our favor. Then hit a nice shot. And I was shocked. I mean, Rory's, I was expecting him to stuff it there. It is difficult to hit a wedge shot inside a hundred yards from a bunker. But when he then put it in the next bunker, I knew he was in a tough spot. Barring something crazy, I didn't think he would make par. But then again, I saw that Patrick made, I think, birdied 17 and 18. So I also knew my job wasn't done and I really wanted to make that putt.

Q. I going back to the galleries, I'm told a couple of times or more today you heard people cheering your mistakes when they happened. I'm curious, did you hear any of that the first three days of this week? And the second thing is, do you just assume what you said earlier, they want Rory to win, but they're not really rooting against you?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, the first three days I didn't feel any of that. I played with Gary yesterday. Gary being close to here, they were really cheering for him. But I felt equally as much love. And then today, yeah, I think there's two things: They wanted Rory. And then, if you bet on Rory, he had better, you know, you get better return on your money. So I think that's some things that happened in golf where guys, I think some of the rooting against is because of the betting.

But, yeah, I mean, even with that they still treated me great. And I just think, I mean, Rory's earned the right to be a fan favorite. So, you know, I embraced it. I've kind of been the underdog in all of my wins, and I've just accepted that and enjoy that moment.

Q. If they're cheering for the other guy at the Presidents Cup we have a problem, don't we?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, if I don't, if I don't get love at the Presidents Cup, as a USA guy, then I don't know, I might move to Mexico or something (laughing).

Q. I'm curious, why are you a Cardinals fan?

WYNDHAM CLARK: So my godfather went to dental school here, lived here for a long time. His boys are basically my big brothers. When we would go to Rockies games as a young kid in Colorado it was always against the Cardinals, I had to wear Cardinals stuff. That was right in the time of Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire and all those home run, you know, championships and stuff. So that's when it started.

Then through 2011 when they won their first World Series my roommate in college, Jordan Niebrugge was also a St. Louis fan, that kind of brought us together, and I've been a fan since. I was really bummed actually that they weren't playing this week.

Q. (No Microphone.)

WYNDHAM CLARK: (Laughing). Yeah, maybe, but you know what, sometimes you fly under the radar. One of my friends said, and this will probably be quoted, but he goes, Darth Vader had more fun. So as I said, All right, whatever that means but, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Just nice honor bestowed upon you out there after the ceremony. Can you talk us through that and elaborate a little bit.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, you know, it was an amazing gesture that Bellerive Country Club gave me an honorary membership. This place is amazing. Honestly, the minute I got on the golf course it reminded me of Cherry Hills where I grew up. Beautiful, tree-lined golf course with awesome doglegs and water. So, to be a member here is fantastic. I told the president, I'll be your best member. I might come back once a year, so you won't have to worry about me too much. But it's really awesome. This tournament has held Presidents Cups and BMW Championships and PGAs, and to be a member at a place like this is a huge honor.

THE MODERATOR: Genuinely took you by surprise, right?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I had no idea. Some clubs do it, some don't. To do that in a ceremony was really neat.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Congratulations, enjoy being the BMW Championship winner for the rest of the year and all through next year until we return to Liberty National.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Awesome. Thank you, guys.