Golf world erupts over heartbreaking ‘drama’ in ‘unbelievable’ TPC thriller

An epic finish to The Players Championship has left golf fans lost for words as one star was dudded by every golfer’s nightmare.

Golf can be a cruel sport at times and Wyndham Clark was given a painful reminder of that in a thrilling finish to The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida on Monday morning.

After moving to 19-under with a birdie in the 17th island green hole, Clark needed another birdie on the final hole to tie clubhouse leader Scottie Scheffler on 20-under and force a playoff at golf’s ‘fifth major’.

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After Xander Schauffele just missed his long birdie putt on the 18th, all eyes were on Clark as he lined up his 17-footer from the front edge of the green.

It looked for all money like Clark’s putt was going in, but it lipped out in agonising fashion after touching every part of the hole except the bottom of the cup.

Clark, last year’s US Open champion, could only cover his face with his cap in disbelief.

Commentator Dan Hicks exclaimed: “Unbelievable. How did that not drop?”

“I don’t know how that putt doesn’t go in,” Clark said afterwards.

“It was coming with some speed. It was kind of right centre with a foot to go and I knew it was going to keep breaking but it had speed.

“I thought it was going to go inside left, and then even when it seemed to lip I thought it would lip in. I mean I’m pretty gutted it didn’t go in.”

Watch Wyndham Clark’s heartbreaking putt in the video player above.

Wyndham Clark couldn't believe it.

The ball was in the hole, then it wasn't.

Golf fans couldn’t believe their eyes as Clark’s putt lipped out of the hole.

The No Laying Up account tweeted: “ARE YOU SH*TTING ME.”

CBS Sports’ Kyle Porter simply said: “How.”

Just to confirm… this putt didn’t finish in the bottom of the cup 😱😲😲 #theplayers#[e-mail]/czcbY37Bhq

— James Morrow (@jimbo341) March 17, 2024

Sports journalist Daniel Garb said: “How’s that drama at The Players. How did that not drop for Clark?! Brutal.

“Scheffler does it again. Bay Hill into Players. First ever player to defend his title at TPC Sawgrass. Undeniable best on the planet at the moment.”

Wyndham Clark was oh so close. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Scheffler, who had been preparing for a playoff on the practice range, fist pumped and celebrated victory with his caddie when news of Clarks’ missed putt filtered through.

The World No. 1 had been battling neck pain throughout the weekend but produced a final round score of 64 to claim the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship in consecutive weeks.

Scheffler, 27, will head into next month’s US Masters as the raging favourite to claim his second green jacket at Augusta National.

Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the trophy after winning the Players Championship. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP.

Clark, Schauffele and Brian Harman all finished a shot behind Scheffler.

Scheffler entered the final round trailing overnight leader Schauffele by five shots but got his charge under way with an eagle on the par-4 fourth, where he holed out from 92 yards, before making three more birdies before the turn.

It was classic Scheffler on the back nine as he kept out of trouble and added three more birdies for his bogey-free 64.

Then it was over to the trio chasing him to make up the gap and while Clark made birdies on 16 and 17, he fell just short on the last.

“We had a great finish yesterday and then got off to a slow start today but then the hole out on four kind of propelled us a little bit,” said Scheffler.

“I hit a lot of good shots, did a lot good things this week and it’s nice to come out on top.

“It’s tough enough to win one Players and so to have it back-to-back is extremely special.” The chasing trio paid the price for crucial bogeys.

Schauffele made bogeys on 14 and 15 and reigning US Open winner Clark’s bid looked to have faded after bogeys on 10 and 14.

With AFP

Originally published as Golf world erupts over heartbreaking ‘drama’ in ‘unbelievable’ TPC thriller