Nina Caldwell
South African golfer Tim Clark has not officially retired from the sport, but he has not played in a tournament since the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge. Clark has suffered from a series of injuries throughout his career, including a wrist injury in 2001 and elbow injuries in 2015 and 2016. Clark has won nearly $24 million as a professional golfer and has two PGA Tour wins, including the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1975, Clark took up golf at the age of three and went on to have a successful college golf career at North Carolina State University, winning ACC Player of the Year in 1997.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Timothy Henry Clark |
| Birthdate | 17 December 1975 |
| Birthplace | Durban, South Africa |
| Age | 49 |
| Turned professional | 1998 |
| College | North Carolina State University |
| Career wins | 2 |
| PGA Tour wins | 2 |
| Last tournament played | 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge |
| Career money exemption | Yes |
| Retirement | No |
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What You'll Learn
Tim Clark's golf career
Timothy Henry Clark, born on December 17, 1975, in Durban, South Africa, is a professional golfer. Clark took up golf at the age of three and was taught to play by his father. He attended North Carolina State University in the United States, where he had a successful college golf career, winning the ACC Player of the Year in 1997. During this time, he also won the 1997 U.S. Amateur Public Links, qualifying for his first major, the 1998 Masters Tournament.
Clark turned professional in 1998 and initially played on the second-tier U.S. professional tour (then known as the Nike Tour), winning two tournaments in 2000 and gaining membership of the main PGA Tour for 2001. However, his campaign was cut short by a wrist injury. He made a comeback in 2002, benefiting from a major medical exemption that allowed him to enter enough events to regain full exemption status for 2003.
Clark was a member of the International Team in the Presidents Cup in 2003, 2005, and 2009, captained by fellow South African Gary Player. In 2005, he reached the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time and won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2001/02 season. He also won the 2008 Australian Open in a playoff.
Clark achieved his first PGA Tour victory at the 2010 Players Championship, becoming the second golfer to make the Players his first Tour win. This was also his biggest win. He has had three European Tour victories and two PGA Tour wins, including the 2014 RBC Canadian Open, his first victory in over four years. Clark has won nearly $24 million as a professional golfer and last played in the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge. He has a career money list exemption available.
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Injuries and setbacks
Tim Clark, a South African professional golfer, has faced several injuries and setbacks throughout his career. Clark turned professional in 1998 and joined the main PGA Tour in 2001, but his campaign was cut short by a wrist injury after only three events. He made a comeback the following year, benefiting from a major medical exemption that allowed him to enter enough events to regain full exemption for 2003.
In 2010, Clark achieved his first PGA Tour title at the Players Championship, becoming the second golfer to make this their first Tour victory. This win brought him the recognition he deserved and put him in the spotlight. However, shortly after this triumph, Clark encountered another setback when he suffered an injury.
Clark's career was further impacted by a left elbow injury that hampered him for a significant portion of 2015 and 2016. This injury limited his participation in the 2015-16 season, causing him to make only seven starts on the PGA Tour. Despite these challenges, Clark persevered and continued his career.
In 2014, Clark won the RBC Canadian Open, claiming his second PGA Tour title and demonstrating his resilience in the face of injuries and setbacks. Clark's determination and refusal to give up are well-known, earning him the nickname "bull dog" from fellow golfer Gary Player. While Clark has faced injuries and setbacks, he has also achieved notable victories and contributed to charitable causes through golf.
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Major wins and accolades
Timothy Henry Clark is a South African professional golfer born in Durban, South Africa, on December 17, 1975. He started playing golf at the age of three under his father's guidance. Clark attended North Carolina State University in the United States, where he had a successful college golf career, winning the ACC Player of the Year in 1997. During his time at university, he won the 1997 U.S. Amateur Public Links to qualify for his first major, the 1998 Masters Tournament.
Clark turned professional in 1998 and initially played on the second-tier U.S. professional tour (then known as the Nike Tour), winning two tournaments in 2000 and gaining membership of the main PGA Tour for 2001. However, his 2001 campaign was cut short by a wrist injury. He made a comeback in 2002, taking advantage of a significant medical exemption to enter enough events to fully regain exemption for 2003.
Clark's notable wins and accolades include:
- The Players Championship in 2010: This was Clark's first PGA Tour victory and his biggest win. He achieved this by coming from three behind with a final-round 67 to win by a stroke over Robert Allenby. At the time, Clark was the highest-earning player without a win, having earned $14.7 million with eight runner-up finishes.
- Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2001/02 season: Clark won this title while also being a member of the International Team in the Presidents Cup in 2003, 2005, and 2009.
- 2008 Australian Open: Clark won this tournament in a playoff with Mathew Goggin when they were both tied at 9-under-par.
- 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club: During the final round, Clark made a hole-in-one on the 220-yard, par-3 11th hole.
- RBC Canadian Open in 2014: Clark's second PGA Tour title and first victory in over four years. He finished one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk, birdieing five out of the last eight holes to come from three strokes back in the final round. This win returned him to the top 100 in the world rankings.
Clark has had a successful career, winning nearly $24 million as a professional golfer and achieving multiple international championships. However, he has also faced setbacks due to injuries, particularly with his wrist in 2001 and elbow issues in 2015-2016, which limited his appearances.
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Earnings and net worth
Tim Clark is a well-known and respected golfer from South Africa. He attended North Carolina State University in the United States, where he played college golf and had numerous achievements. He turned professional in 1997, starting on the South African Tour before progressing to the PGA Tour.
Clark's breakthrough came in 2010 when he won The Players Championship, a prestigious tournament often considered the "fifth major." This victory solidified his status as a formidable competitor on the PGA Tour. In addition to his PGA Tour success, Clark has represented the International Team in the Presidents Cup on three occasions (2003, 2005, and 2009), showcasing his consistent performance and dedication to the sport.
Tim Clark's earnings and net worth are substantial, with his success stemming from tournament prize money, endorsements, and sponsorships. As of the available information, Clark's estimated net worth is around $15 million. However, it is important to note that this figure may not be fully up to date, as it is based on his career earnings up to a certain point in time. Clark has accumulated over $24 million in prize money throughout his career, which is a testament to his golfing prowess and consistent performance.
His biggest financial success in a single tournament came at the 2010 Players Championship, where he claimed his first PGA Tour title after 206 starts and eight runner-up finishes. Prior to this victory, Clark was already the highest-earning player without a win, having accumulated $14.7 million in prize money. Clark's other notable victories include the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2001/02 season, the 2008 Australian Open, and the RBC Canadian Open in 2014.
In addition to his prize money, endorsements and sponsorships have played a significant role in boosting Tim Clark's net worth. Brands in golf seek to partner with established players like Clark, leveraging their experience and success on the course. His marketability is further enhanced by his reputation for determination and refusal to give up, as demonstrated by his nickname, the "bull dog," bestowed by Gary Player.
While the exact figures of his endorsement deals are not publicly available, it is clear that Tim Clark's earnings and net worth are a result of his dedication, skill, and longevity in the sport. His success has inspired many upcoming golfers, and his legacy in the golfing world is assured.
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Life after golf
Although Tim Clark is still an active professional golfer, he has not played a tournament since the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge due to injuries. Clark, who was born in 1975, is now 49 years old. It is uncommon for top golfers to retire in their early 40s.
Clark's career in golf began when he was just three years old, taught by his father. He went on to have a successful college golf career at North Carolina State University, winning ACC Player of the Year in 1997. He turned professional in 1998, initially playing on the second-tier U.S. professional tour (then known as the Nike Tour). He gained membership of the main PGA Tour in 2001 but played only three events due to a wrist injury. He made a comeback in 2002 and won his first PGA Tour victory at the 2010 Players Championship. He has had three European Tour victories and two PGA Tour wins, including the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.
Clark has suffered several injuries throughout his career, including a wrist injury in 2001 and elbow injuries in 2014 that limited his appearances in the 2015-16 season. Despite these setbacks, he has had a successful career, winning nearly $24 million so far. He also won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2001/02 season and the 2008 Australian Open.
In 2005, Clark reached the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time. He also played in Gary Player's annual charity event in South Africa, personally paying for a little girl's cochlear ear implant so that she could hear.
While it is unclear what Clark's future holds, his resilience and determination suggest that he may continue to pursue golf or other endeavours in the years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tim Clark has not retired from golf. However, he has not played since the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge due to elbow injuries.
Tim Clark was born on December 17, 1975, and is currently 49 years old.
Tim Clark turned professional in 1998 and has had a successful career, winning ACC Player of the Year in 1997 and the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2001/02 season. He has also won the Players Championship in 2010, the Australian Open in 2008, and the RBC Canadian Open in 2014. He has earned nearly $24 million as a professional golfer.
Tim Clark has a career money list exemption available and has not officially retired. He has had to curtail his playing schedule due to injuries, but he has not completely stepped away from the sport.
Yes, Tim Clark has represented South Africa in international competitions. He was a member of the International Team, captained by fellow South African Gary Player, in the 2003, 2005, and 2009 Presidents Cup.
