RBC Heritage: Wyndham Clark unlucky rocket off a tree ruins nuclear round

Clark entered the final round of the RBC Heritage seven shots back and nearly took the lead before bad luck struck.

Wyndham Clark entered Sunday’s final round of the RBC Heritage at 9-under par, seven shots back of the leader, Scottie Scheffer.

Yet, before the World No. 1 even teed off, Clark had cut that deficit to just two strokes. That is because Clark came out firing.

The reigning U.S. Open champion began his round going birdie, eagle, birdie. His putter was on fire, draining from long range and even off the green.

Clark would then hit a great approach shot on the par-4 5th and sink another birdie putt. He would pick up a couple more on seven and nine. By the time he made the turn, Clark was suddenly 16-under par needing just 29 strokes going out.

Of course, Scheffler was not going to let his foot off the gas. He chipped in for eagle on the par-5 2nd, helping give him a cushion.

But Clark was not going to back away. He kept up his momentum onto the back nine sinking another birdie putt on 11.

Then his day came crashing down.

Clark’s tee shot on the par-4 12th missed wide right into the pine straw. He was left with an awkward shot to simply play the ball back into the fairway.

Unfortunately, his ball struck a tree and took a bee line straight out of bounds.

He would take a drop and ultimately double bogey the hole. He followed that up with a bogey on 13, ending his chances at a miraculous victory.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old reminded the golf world what he is capable of when he is firing on all cylinders. Clark is looking at another top-10 finish in what is turning into the best season of his career.

Scheffler, meanwhile, appears to be cruising to another win. It would be his fourth in his last five tournaments played, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship, Masters and now RBC Heritage.

Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.