TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

June 22, 2023

Wyndham Clark

TPC River Highlands

Quick Quotes

Q. What was it like? Did you feel different out there as a major champion? And what about the reception from the fans and your playing partners?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean, I definitely was a little less stressed or anxious today than I think I normally would be to start a tournament. I was more relaxed. I didn't have much expectations, which was really nice.

And then obviously the fan interaction was great. We went off early, which normally when I'm going off on a Thursday that early there is hardly any fans watching me and there as of decent amount, so that was kind of nice.

Yeah, it's amazing. When you win something like that unfortunately some of the stuff seems a little secondary, but I'm still competitive and want to play great.

Yeah, definitely had less stress out there.

Q. Have you hot that mental wall at all this week? Were you able to bounce back?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean, I hit some pretty poor wedge shots today. I probably shot the worst score I could have today.

You know, I drove it pretty decent and had some really good opportunities to make birdies, so I would say there is a little bit of brain fog there.

No, hasn't hit me yet. I'm still kind of on the high. I'm sure as the week goes on it might hit me, but fortunately I have two week off after this to get refreshed and ready for the rest of the week.

Q. What's this week been like for you? What's been the craziest or most unexpected thing that's happened to you as a result of the U.S. Open?

WYNDHAM CLARK: You know, some of the calls and texts that I got were pretty amazing from some pretty influential people. And then I would say just the whole New York City media run was amazing. Being on the Today Show and Good Morning America and ESPN and Fox News and all the things I went to, was awesome.

Then running into some big time celebrities that knew who I was and wanted to take a picture with me rather than vice versa.

So stuff like that obviously you don't think about when you're finishing on the 18th hole at a U.S. Open. You don't think about that, and then happens it's pretty cool.

Q. Seems like your story has touched people. People have really responded. Is that something that is very special to you?

WYNDHAM CLARK: It is. You know, if you told me this would've happened, you know, I would be here eight, ten years ago I wouldn't have believed you because I was in such a tough spot after losing my mom.

But she knew something. She told me to play big and she said, you're going to have a chance to witness and you have such a great platform and be able to show people who you are both on and off the golf course and inspire young kids.

I always used to say, yeah, mom, that's going to happen, but maybe I didn't fully believe it. Now I'm here and I'm hoping that's exactly what it does.

Q. Talk about number five. They called it on TV a cranial assist.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Oh, yeah, my 4-iron actually last week cost me some strokes, too. We forgot to -- I had hardly any prep this week for this event, and got here and my 4-iron I think is a little off lie angle-wise. Didn't even think about it but I haven't hit any good shots, and so hit it way right and hit a young kid in the head.

Then I had an incredible up and down, so I think he probably saved me. So whatever his name is, thank you.

Q. Following up his question about some influential people that weighed in with you, can you drop a couple names?

WYNDHAM CLARK: There are some that I don't want to, but I ran into Chris Paul when I was at Good Morning America. He walked up the stairs to come see me, which was really cool.

Michael Strahan, he wasn't on that day but he came in to say hi, which was really neat?

Q. So you're saying people in the sports world and in politics?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I've had both. I've had both. I had one pretty awesome phone call. I don't want to disclose the name, but it was something that you would never think, and someone as powerful as that calling me was really cool.

But then, yeah, the rest is typically sports people and couple of A-list actors and stuff like that.

Q. Tell me what it's like to play that, hole, a high risk-reward hole, the reachable par-4, 15?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, I mean, it's all about the tee shot, and then even after actually hitting a good tee shot you can have a really tough, awkward chip.

I thought I hit a better tee shot than I did. The wind kind of took it. I haven't fully adjusted to the greens yet. They were really fast at the U.S. Open and I been leaving a lot of stuff short, so I didn't unfortunately get up and down there, but making a nice par is always good there.

Fastscripts by ASAP Sports...