Full Breakdown
Wyndham Clark's Final-Round 60 Secures CJ Cup Byron Nelson Victory
5/26/2026, 6:22:52 AM
The Final Surge at TPC Craig Ranch
On May 24, 2026, Wyndham Clark posted an 11-under-par 60 in the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. The round gave him a 30-under-par total of 254, three strokes ahead of South Korea’s Si Woo Kim and five strokes ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished third. Clark’s back-nine 28 included nine birdies and an eagle, delivering the tournament’s lowest winning round of the season.
Background & Context
Clark entered the event after a two-year winless stretch; his last PGA Tour victory was the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he also closed with a 60. The 32-year-old had fallen to 75th in the Official World Golf Ranking and 82nd in the FedEx Cup standings. TPC Craig Ranch had undergone a $25 million redesign overseen by former PGA Championship winner Lanny Wadkins, adding new bunkers and altered green contours. Early-week rain left the course soft and virtually wind-free, conditions that many commentators said favored low scoring.
Key Players & Groups
- Wyndham Clark – 2023 U.S. Open champion, fourth PGA Tour win.
- Si Woo Kim – South Korean, two-stroke leader after 54 holes, finished runner-up.
- Scottie Scheffler – World No. 1, defending hometown champion, third place.
- Jackson Suber – Career-best fourth, 23-under.
- Keith Mitchell – Fifth, 22-under.
- Lanny Wadkins – Course architect and former champion, overseeing renovation.
Data & Statistics
- Final round: 60 (-11)
- Birdies/eagle: 9 birdies + 1 eagle
- Total score: 30-under-par 254
- Strokes-gained putting: +4.5 over field
- FedEx Cup points earned: 500 (ranking to 34th)
- World ranking: rose from 75th to 44th
- Prize money: $1.854 million (out of $10.3 million purse)
Why It Matters
Clark’s win marks the first time a player has captured a PGA Tour event with a closing 60 twice, underscoring his resurgence after a slump. The victory propels him back toward the top-10 in world rankings and positions him as a contender for the upcoming 2026 U.S. Open. It also highlights the impact of his recent putter change, which contributed to his dominant putting performance.
Official Statements & Responses
Clark said his confidence returned after off-season swing work and a new putter, emphasizing an aggressive mindset that prevented him from “wasting” birdie opportunities. Kim expressed frustration at missing the win but remained optimistic, noting his “experience in contention.” Scheffler praised Clark’s play, calling it “great golf,” while acknowledging his own solid week. Wadkins defended the course redesign, noting the renovation aimed to increase difficulty despite the soft conditions.
Criticism & Opposition
Some observers labeled the renovated TPC Craig Ranch “slander” and argued the course was insufficiently challenging, suggesting Clark’s win was partly due to favorable conditions. Others dismissed the victory as “random,” pointing to Clark’s prior off-course incidents, including a locker-damage episode at Oakmont after missing the 2025 U.S. Open cut.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on weather impact: ESPN notes the final round was “wiped out” the following day, while Fox News describes only early-week rain without a delayed round. Commentary on course difficulty also varies, with some calling it “tough” and others “soft and easy.” No official clarification on the exact weather schedule has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I look at Pebble, it was amazing, but that one, I was so close to shooting 59. At that golf course, that would have been just epic,” — Wyndham Clark
- “I felt pretty comfortable, but I knew I had to put the pedal to the metal and keep making birdies,” — Wyndham Clark
- “I think if I keep knocking on the door, something's coming,” — Si Woo Kim
- “Overall, Wyndham played great golf.” — Scottie Scheffler
- “(They) said they didn't want 30 under winning the thing anymore, and I told them, don't worry.” — Lanny Wadkins
What’s Next
Clark withdrew from the upcoming Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club but will return for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He aims to maintain his upward trajectory and secure a spot on the U.S. team for the Presidents Cup later in the year. The FedEx Cup race remains open, with his recent points haul keeping him in contention.
