Wyndham Clark Hoping to Play Through Back Injury This Weekend

Clark is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes.

Wyndham Clark hopes to play in this weekend's Texas Children’s Houston Open after sustaining a back injury earlier in the week. The reigning U.S. Open champion, who is among the favorites at the event, told reporters he was "caught in an awkward spot” while exercising on Monday morning.

“In just a short time I’ve improved a ton,” he told media members on Wednesday morning. "I think I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

Clark said he was "in bad shape" on Tuesday before calling his physical therapy team down to Houston. After only being able to chip and putt, he was able to get to a place that allowed him to participate in a nine-hole pro-am a day later.

Through seven starts this year, Clark has been one of the most productive players on the PGA Tour. He won the weather-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am back in early February and has finished runner-up in his last two tournaments behind Scottie Scheffler. Clark is currently No. 4 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

The 30-year-old has seen his star rise since winning his first major at Los Angeles Country Club last year and this weekend will be more compelling if he's out there fully healthy.

Kyle Koster is an editor at The Big Lead.