Wyndham Clark started his week with a late run at U.S. Open qualifying and ended up earning a spot in next week’s major championship at The Country Club. The vibes are still high for the 28-year-old as he leads the RBC Canadian Open after two rounds.
Clark began his Friday with seven straight pars before putting his first shape on the card, a circle coming at the par-3 8th. After another birdie at the par-5 11th to get to 2 under on the day, Clark played his last seven holes 2 over for an even-par 70.
His best stroke-play event finish so far this season came at the American Express (solo 13th).
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One of the men sitting just one back is Matt Fitzpatrick, who’s done everything but win this season. In his last six stroke-play event starts, the Englishman has finished inside the top 5 thrice. In Canada, he has a chance to finally put a tally in the win column. And not just on the season, but for his career.
The 27-year-old has yet to win on Tour, which is hard to believe given his ability to hit fairways, hit greens, and roll the rock. He’s won seven times on the DP World Tour (formally known as the European Tour), with his latest victory coming at the 2021 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters.
On Friday, Fitzy got around St. George’s Golf and Country Club in 70 shots for a second-round even-par 70. He struggled down the stretch making a double bogey on 14, and three straight bogeys on 16-18.
With Fitzpatrick at 6 under is Rory McIlroy, the defending champion. McIlroy struggled with wedges all day Friday, but was able to battle his way to a 2-under 68. His weapon of choice? The big-stick. McIlroy hit drives of 371, 374, and 357 yards on Friday, all coming on the back nine.
In his last four starts, the four-time major champion’s worst finish is T-18 (The Memorial). If he goes on to win this week, it’ll be the first time he’s ever successfully defended a title in his career. He won this event in 2019, and it was pushed back a few years due to COVID-19.
Alex Smalley, Keith Mitchell, and Jim Knous sit at 6 under with the two Europeans. Austin Cook is alone at 5 under.
A few shots further back at 4 under are Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler, who went head-to-head just a few weeks ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge where Burns drained a 40-footer on the first playoff hole to win.
