Form counts for nothing once the cut line arrives, and Wyndham Clark learned that the hard way this week. Just weeks removed from lifting his second U.S. Open trophy, the reigning champion found himself packing his bags early as Wyndham Clark misses cut Rocket Classic news spread through Detroit Golf Club after a rocky 71-74 start. It's the second straight week Clark has gone home before the weekend, following a similarly early exit at The Open Championship.
The result stings, but it shouldn't cloud the bigger picture. Clark remains one of the form players of the year. Since breaking through at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, he hasn't finished worse than 15th in any start, a run capped by his major triumph at the U.S. Open. A single bad week in Detroit is unlikely to shake his grip on a top 10 spot in the FedExCup standings heading into the playoff push.
How Wyndham Clark Missed Rocket Classic
Friday told the story. Clark opened round two with an early bogey, then briefly found his rhythm with two birdies in his next five holes to level things out. He made the turn at even par, looking like a man in control of his own cut line. Then the back nine happened.
Bogeys on 11 and 12 chipped away at his cushion, but the real damage came on 14, where a wayward approach found the thick native grass and, ultimately, a lost ball. The resulting double bogey proved costly, sending Clark to the exit a shot outside the 3-under cut line.
Not the Only Big Name Heading Home Early
Clark had plenty of company on the wrong side of the number.
Gotterup, a three-time winner already this season, suffered a jarring blip after a string of solid results dating back to his John Deere Classic win. Potgieter, who claimed last year's Rocket Classic title at just 20 years old, couldn't complete a late rally; his second-round 67 came a day too late to offset an opening 76.
One Player Who Found a Way Through
Not every bubble story ended in disappointment. Jackson Koivun, still riding high off his win at last week's 3M Open, looked in danger of an early exit before catching fire on his front nine. Four birdies in an eight-hole stretch powered a second-round 67 that got him inside the number by a single shot.
The Weekend Battle Ahead
With the cut settled, attention now turns to the top of the leaderboard.
Young's blistering 9-under 61 on Friday vaulted him into contention, while Cantlay, still chasing his first TOUR win since 2022, will look to finally close the door on a title that has eluded him for years. Wallace and Fowler sit just a shot back, keeping the door open for a crowded finish.
For Clark, the disappointment of missing the cut is a rare blemish on an otherwise banner year. With the FedExCup Playoffs looming, he will have every chance to put the week behind him and refocus on the bigger goals still within reach this season.
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