Golf Jul 07, 2026

US Open winner Wyndham Clark admits crowd 'didn't like' him after being subjected to heckling during final round

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
US Open winner Wyndham Clark admits crowd 'didn't like' him after being subjected to heckling during final round

On his way to becoming US Open champion for the second time, America's Wyndham Clark had to overcome the unusual challenge of taming a hostile home crowd at Shinnecock Hills.

Clark completed a wire-to-wire victory by holding off Sam Burns by one shot, but perhaps the biggest talking point to arise from the final round was just how badly a significant chunk of spectators wanted the champion to lose.

Clark dealt with shouts of "get in the bunker" after many of his shots, while cheers were also muted when he played good shots or holed putts.

Some of that was down to the fact his partner in the final pairing was the hugely popular world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was attempting to complete the career Grand Slam.

However, this was not just about Scheffler's popularity, given the crowd also seemed desperate to see Burns claim a maiden major title.

Clark's victory came a year on from him being banned by Oakmont Country Club, the host of last year's US Open, after he damaged a locker in anger after being frustrated with his play at the tournament.

Following his win on Sunday, he said: "New York didn't really like me. I love you guys, but, you know, I get it.

"Some of it is self-deserved. I did some unfortunate things last year that I really regret.

"I've been sorry multiple times and I'm still sorry, so hopefully I can win you guys over eventually.

"But I get it, they root for Scottie. Grand Slams only happen a few times. He's going to get it. He's the best player in the world, but today it's my day."

Former European Solheim Cup stalwart Mel Reid was on the course for Your Site Golf, and found the atmosphere Clark was faced with "strange and surreal".

"That cannot have been easy for him," Reid said. "Not only are you trying to win the US Open with a big lead, but when your home crowd are against you. I can only imagine it.

"You expect it at a Ryder Cup, or even a European trying to make a move in this tournament, but when it's your own person, it was a very strange, surreal experience for me today being on the course.

"I could hear everything he was doing because people were cheering the wrong shots."

Your Site Golf's Nick Dougherty believes the hostility Clark faced was a reflection of modern society.

"To a degree it's the world we live in, where social media runs wild," Dougherty said.

"Things happen that used to be yesterday's chip paper going forward, but not so much now. Things resurface in the future.

"Comments that he made for instance at The Masters par-three competition, did not go down well.

"Things he's said before and his behaviour at the US Open last year.

"You sort of never escape your past any more."

Despite having been on the right side of the crowd, Scheffler admitted he thought some of Clark's treatment was "a bit much", but credited his rival for triumphing under pressure.

"The crowd was tough today," Scheffler said. "New Yorkers, they are tough people. There was a good turnout from the fans. You like seeing the fans cheer for you. I think sometimes it can get a little too much when balls are kind of going off greens and you start hearing cheers. That felt a bit much to me.

"But, at the end of the day, I can't control fan behaviour. Being in the arena is not for everybody. There's been crowds that have been for me in my career; there's been crowds that have been significantly against me in my career.

"I think Portrush was a scenario for me where Rory (McIlroy) is in his hometown. Or not his hometown; he's in Ireland, not far from where he grew up. Crowds can be tough.

"Being in the arena is not for everybody, and I think it shows a lot about Wyndham, how he handled not only this golf course, but I think the crowd today as well and is a well-deserving champion."

Your Site' Jamie Weir said: "The crowd were just disgusting. It's the second time in nine months it's crossed the line and the other time was in Long Island, New York as well at the Ryder Cup.

"There's just no place for it in golf. Shouts of 'get in the bunker,' cheers when he missed putts, 'don't choke, Wyndham' people were shouting at him. Police were evicting fans from the course at times.

"I've never seen an American player on American soil have to deal with what he had to deal with yesterday and it did cross the line.

"There are question marks whether you can even have tournaments in New York going forward.

"That was not pleasant to witness."

The PGA Tour heads to TPC River Highlands in Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, the latest Signature Event, while the DP World Tour is in Torino for the DS Automobiles Open d'Italia.

Both events are live from Thursday on Your Site Golf, along with the final men's major of the year - The Open at Royal Birkdale - from July 16-19. or .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

US Senior Open: Padraig Harrington defends title at Scioto Country Club as Ian Poulter finishes fourth on debut

US Senior Open: Padraig Harrington defends title at Scioto Country Club as Ian Poulter finishes fourth on debut

Padraig Harrington notched a four-under 66 in his final round to finish 12 under over the weekend and win the US Senior Open title for the second year...

Ladies European Tour: Carolina Chacarra wins Hulencourt Women's Open as Bronte Law, Hannah Screen record top-10 finishes

Ladies European Tour: Carolina Chacarra wins Hulencourt Women's Open as Bronte Law, Hannah Screen record top-10 finishes

Carolina Chacarra won her maiden Ladies European Tour title in just her third start by finishing on 12 under at the Hulencourt Women's Open in Belgium...

DP World Tour: Ex-LIV Golf member Eugenio Chacarra moves closer to PGA Tour card with impressive Open d'Italia victory

DP World Tour: Ex-LIV Golf member Eugenio Chacarra moves closer to PGA Tour card with impressive Open d'Italia victory

Eugenio Chacarra secured back-to-back DP World Tour titles and moved a big step closer to earning a PGA Tour card after closing a dominant five-shot w...

Rory McIlroy gives Royal Birkdale verdict after preparing at venue for this year's Open Championship, live on Sky Sports

Rory McIlroy gives Royal Birkdale verdict after preparing at venue for this year's Open Championship, live on Sky Sports

Rory McIlroy gave a positive verdict of Royal Birkdale as the course prepares to host the Open Championship for the first time in nine years and the s...

Travelers Championship: Viktor Hovland beats Scottie Scheffler in play-off as world No 1 botches short birdie putt

Travelers Championship: Viktor Hovland beats Scottie Scheffler in play-off as world No 1 botches short birdie putt

Viktor Hovland beat Scottie Scheffler in a Monday play-off at the Travelers Championship as the world No 1 fluffed a short birdie putt on the first ex...

PGA Tour: Chris Gotterup wins John Deere Classic with stunning nine-birdie final round as Ben Kohles misses out

PGA Tour: Chris Gotterup wins John Deere Classic with stunning nine-birdie final round as Ben Kohles misses out

Chris Gotterup produced a weekend-best 62 - including nine birdies- in his final round to claim the John Deere Classic title, finishing 20 under in a...