The inside story of Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman’s unlikely friendship

Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman were golf’s unlikely stars of the summer in 2023. At Los Angeles Country Club, Clark held off Rory McIlroy in the final round to win his first major title. The following month, Harman also won his first major title as he dominated a field of the world’s best at Royal Liverpool.

On the heels of their stellar play at two of the biggest events in golf, the duo were among those chosen to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup. And while a part of Team USA, the two became fast friends.

“This guy is a really good dude,” Clark said of Harman on this week’s episode of GOLF’s Subpar. “I have the most respect for Brian.”

The two didn’t always have such a chummy rapport.

Wyndham Clark of the United States celebrates winning on the 18th green during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 07, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Wyndham Clark says this victory was a bigger hurdle than winning the U.S. Open
By: Jessica Marksbury

Back before either had risen to prominence as major winners, they were paired together at a run-of-the-mill Tour event. And while competing alongside each other, Clark threw a bit of a tantrum after missing a few putts.

“I was an absolute idiot,” Clark said. “I broke two clubs in the round and I was being a little baby … He afterwards was like — he pretty much got in my face and was like, ‘What is wrong with you?'”

Although Clark admits he was in the wrong during the situation, he didn’t take the talking-to very well.

“I wanted to beat that little guy in,” Clark said. “I was just so heated … Ever since then, I was just so embarrassed that I made a fool of myself.”

Fast forward to the fall of 2023, and the two were set to make their Ryder Cup debuts together. And while some of the Team USA stalwarts were used to the routine of the biennial team competition, Clark and Harman made sure to soak up every moment.

“We actually spent a really cool night [together],” Clark said.

After may of their teammates turned in for the night, Clark and Harman stayed up watching the private musical performance arranged by the event.

“We were like, ‘Let’s just stay, this is awesome,'” Clark said. “So we stayed for another hour and a half and we talked and we had so much fun and we had wine together. I was like, ‘Man, this guy is a really good dude.'”

Listen to the entire episode of GOLF’s Subpar below.

Zephyr Melton

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.