CHINA – Wyndham Clark found himself in a challenging situation during the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, facing a crowd that was less than supportive. Fans were vocal, with some even being ejected for their taunts, such as the one who shouted, “Don’t choke, Wyndham!”
Despite the pressure, Clark demonstrated remarkable composure, sinking a crucial 52-foot putt that brought him back into a comfortable position for his second U.S. Open title in four years. This moment was particularly significant as he had seen his six-stroke lead dwindle to just one.
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The atmosphere was electric, with many fans rooting against Clark in favor of players like Scottie Scheffler, who was pursuing a career Grand Slam, and Sam Burns, who ultimately lost by a single stroke. Clark’s previous actions, including damaging a locker during a fit of rage at the Oakmont Country Club, seemed to have contributed to this crowd dynamic.
Clark reflected on the crowd’s reaction, noting, “Man, they definitely didn’t want me to win.” On Saturday, he had expressed disappointment at the dwindling crowd as he finished his third round; on Sunday, he might have preferred their absence altogether.
It is unusual for a leading golfer in a major championship to face such open hostility. Rory McIlroy experienced a similar situation during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but that was a team event where emotions ran high.
Clark attempted to shift his mindset, viewing himself as an underdog, especially after his earlier triumph in 2023. “Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive,” he stated, acknowledging that some of the animosity was self-inflicted. He understood the fans’ preference for Scheffler, a player with a chance at a historic achievement.
The crowd’s support clearly leaned towards Scheffler, as they cheered for his successes and jeered at Clark’s mistakes. Early in the round, Clark bogeyed the second, sixth, and seventh holes, while fans celebrated Scheffler’s performance, even singing “Happy Birthday” to him as he turned 30 on that very day.
From taunts like “Get in the bunker!” directed at Clark to enthusiastic shouts of “We love you Scottie!” for Scheffler, the atmosphere was charged. Scheffler finished tied for fourth at even par.
Clark’s struggles were evident. A fan even remarked, “Wyndham gonna lose ’em,” as he approached his ball on the 10th hole. The support for Scheffler was palpable, with chants and cheers accompanying each of Clark’s missteps.
Despite the pressure, Clark had a moment of triumph on the 16th hole, where he made an impressive 24-foot birdie putt, bringing him to 5-under par and temporarily quieting the crowd. However, the tension returned on the next hole when he missed an 8-foot par putt, leading to further jeers.
Clark remarked on the experience, stating, “Yeah, it was tough, but I’m proud of myself that I battled through. I mean, things really could have gotten away from me. I stood tough. Yeah, I would have liked to have won by more, but as long as you win, it doesn’t matter.”
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Associated Press writers Doug Ferguson and Eddie Pells contributed to this report.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
