Wyndham Clark might have won more than his second U.S. Open title Sunday at Shinnecock Hills.
He might have won back some golf fans, too.
At the very least, he gave himself a pretty good start.
Clark closed with a 3-over 73 and finished at 4-under, one shot clear of Sam Burns. It wasn’t his best round of the weekend, but it was enough to get the job done.
WYNDHAM CLARK SURVIVES HOSTILE CROWD AND SAM BURNS CHARGE TO WIN SECOND US OPEN AT SHINNECOCK HILLS
And the job was made tougher by the fans in attendance. Clark didn’t have the New York crowd on his side during the final round of the U.S. Open. Not even close.
Fans on Long Island made it very clear from the first hole that they were pulling for Scottie Scheffler, Clark’s playing partner, to chase him down and complete the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday.
That part is understandable.
Scheffler is the best golfer in the world and he’s incredibly popular. Throw in the fact he was trying to pull off a historic feat and there’s a recipe for a clear crowd advantage.
But at some point, rooting for Scheffler turned into rooting against Clark.
And that’s an important distinction.
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Multiple reports said fans were ejected from the venue for crossing the line with taunts directed at Clark. According to golf reporter Kevin Van Valkenburg, one fan was tossed after yelling “Don’t choke, Wyndham” before Clark’s tee shot on No. 4
Some might argue that’s part of professional sports, and that’s true. Others might argue that golf operates in a different realm than the NFL, NBA, MLB or other professional leagues. There’s a certain decorum around golf.
Clark has brought some of the negativity on himself. He’s the first one to admit that, and he did it right after winning the tournament. That was an important step for his growth and maturity.
“New York didn’t really like me, [but] I love you guys,” Clark told NBC’s Mike Tirico during his post-round interview on the 18th green.
Some fans booed, but Clark laughed it off.
Then most of the crowd started cheering as he continued.
“Some of it is self-deserved. I did some unfortunate things last year that I really regret,” Clark said. “I’ve been sorry multiple times and I’m still sorry. Hopefully I can win you guys over eventually.”
Clark caught heat last year after damaging a locker at Oakmont after missing the cut at the U.S. Open. He apologized then, and the incident followed him into this year’s national championship. Golf fans don’t forget that stuff, especially at a historic U.S. Open venue, where respect for the game matters.
But there’s also a line.
Actively cheering against an American golfer trying to win the U.S. Open on American soil? Not the finest moment for U.S. golf fans.
Plenty of people watching at home seemed to notice that, too. The social-media reaction wasn’t all anti-Clark; many golf fans weren’t thrilled that an American player was getting that kind of treatment while trying to close out his second national championship.
Clark acknowledged the other part of the crowd dynamic: those pulling for another American in Scheffler.
“But I get it, they’re rooting for Scottie,” Clark said. “The Grand Slam has only happened a few times. He’s gonna get it, he’s the best player in the world, but today is my day.”
Well said, Wyndham.
His nearly flawless interview with Tirico was just part of what likely helped him win back more than a few golf fans. As he was coming off the 18th green after sinking the tournament-winning putt, Clark hugged one of his friends. Microphones caught him exclaiming, “Let’s go! We’re drinking tonight!”
Golf fans, really most people, love a guy who’s real. They love a guy who can win a major championship, take heat from a hostile crowd and then start talking about partying with his buddies. A well-deserved party, by the way.
There was also a nice moment with his dad, who surprised him after flying to New York on a red-eye Sunday morning.
They embraced in a big hug as Clark told his father, “Thanks, Pops. I’m glad you could be here.”
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It was a special Father’s Day moment, especially since Clark lost his mother to breast cancer in 2013 when he was just 19 years old.
The whole thing struck a perfect balance. Here was Wyndham Clark, a talented but sometimes hot-tempered golfer, showing a human side that people probably needed to see.
And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness. He responded with perspective.
Golf fans don’t have to forget what happened at Oakmont. Clark doesn’t seem to be asking them to do that. But they also don’t have to act like one ugly incident should define the rest of his career, especially when he keeps apologizing for it and then goes out and handles the next hostile moment with some grace.
And let’s be honest: Clark earned the right to talk a little after that Sunday.
He entered the final round with a six-shot lead, nearly lost it, got booed by sections of the crowd and still made the shot and putt he needed on the 16th hole to win the tournament.
Then he tapped in on 18, held his girlfriend’s hand, hugged his dad, promised his friends a party and hoisted a trophy.
That’s pretty relatable. Well, except the part about holding the U.S. Open trophy.
Winning cures a lot in sports. Winning with some self-awareness cures even more.
Clark probably isn’t ever going to be the most popular guy on the PGA Tour. That’s fine. He’s not really trying to be.
Sports needs villains, favorites, redemption arcs and players who generate conversations in living rooms, bars and on social media.
But Sunday was a pretty good reminder that people are allowed to mess up, apologize, take the heat and then keep moving.
And we, as fans, should offer them some grace.
Especially when that player is an American who just ended a streak of two straight majors won by players from Europe and kept the U.S. Open title in American hands.
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