Wyndham Clark faced intense scrutiny and vocal criticism during the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Fans shouted at him throughout the day, hoping for his missteps. One attendee was removed after telling Clark not to choke. Despite this hostility, Clark delivered a stunning performance with a 52-foot putt to tap-in range, securing his second U.S. Open title in four years. He successfully avoided what could have been the worst tournament collapse after his initial six-stroke lead dwindled to one.
While New Yorkers typically celebrate winners, this audience preferred Scottie Scheffler, who was pursuing the career Grand Slam, or Sam Burns, who narrowly missed victory by a stroke. Clark’s previous actions fueled the backlash. He had broken a locker in frustration at Oakmont Country Club last year and made controversial remarks about kids at the Masters Par 3 Contest. Adding to that was his win over Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open.
Clark battled through adversity during the tournament as fans favored Scheffler. On Saturday, he noted the sparse crowd during his third round, and by Sunday, he wished they had not come. Rarely does a leading golfer face such disdain at a major championship, although it occurred previously with McIlroy at the Ryder Cup.
Clark saw himself as an underdog on Sunday, recalling a similar experience in 2023. He turned negative comments into positive affirmations, acknowledging that some animosity stemmed from his past actions. Early in the round, heckling rattled him, leading to bogeys at the second, sixth, and seventh holes, while Scheffler received adulation. The crowd cheered Clark’s mistakes and sang Scheffler ‘Happy Birthday.’
Clark struggled as fans rooted against him. They jeered when his shots went astray and voiced hope for his failure at various points. However, on the 16th hole, he won a brief moment of respect with a pivotal 24-foot birdie putt, extending his lead. Yet, on the following hole, taunts resurfaced as Clark missed a crucial par putt.
Despite the challenges, Clark persisted. He expressed pride in his resilience, emphasizing his determination to win. Clark reflected that while he would have preferred a more decisive victory, winning itself was what mattered.
Associated Press writers Doug Ferguson and Eddie Pells contributed to this report.
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