On the brink of an epic downfall at the U.S. Open, Wyndham Clark maintained his composure amidst fierce competition from Sam Burns and the cool reception from the Shinnecock Hills crowd. The gallery reserved their cheers until his triumph on Sunday, marking Clark’s second Open victory in four years.
Clark began the final round with a six-shot lead. His decisive move at the last hole required two putts from roughly 50 feet for par, granting him a 3-over 73, edging out Burns by a single stroke. Clark previously clinched the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, and with this win, he became the first player to lead the tournament from start to finish since Martin Kaymer did so at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014.
Despite his strong start, Clark’s lead dwindled to a mere one-shot after five holes, and he faced persistent pressure throughout the remaining rounds. The pivotal moment came with one of Clark’s poorest drives of the day at the par-5 16th. He managed to escape the rough, barely avoiding a bunker. His shot with an 8-iron had a narrow landing on the back of the green. Clark then sank a stunning 30-foot birdie putt, giving him a two-shot advantage with two holes remaining.
The crowd offered subdued applause as they rooted for Scottie Scheffler, who was chasing the career Grand Slam. Scheffler faltered with errors and never closed the gap beyond three strokes during the tournament.
Clark endured the highest final round score for a U.S. Open winner since Graeme McDowell’s 74 at Pebble Beach. Still, the 32-year-old American now boasts two U.S. Open victories, along with a total of two wins in the past month. Burns finished with a 67, marking his second consecutive year as a contender for the U.S. Open title. He missed crucial birdie opportunities on the final two holes and encountered a setback with a three-putt bogey on the 15th while vying to close the gap on Clark.
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