June 22 (UPI) — Wyndham Clark said he attempted to convert negativity energy from fans into positive fuel en route to his victory at the 2026 U.S. Open.
Crowds heckled Clark and sometimes cheered during his miscues throughout the weekend at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., but the No. 8 player in the Official World Golf Ranking managed to fend off the elite field to win his second career major by one stroke.
“Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive,” Clark told reporters.
Clark drew rampant criticism in 2025 when he missed the cut at the same tournament and then damaged the historic locker room at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. He drew additional ire for on-court temper tantrums at other tournaments, but remained mostly composed Thursday through Sunday in the third major tournament this season.
Clark fired a 6-under 64 to start the week and held on through Friday’s second round. He increased his lead from two to four strokes through 36 holes.
He grew that advantage to six with a round of par Saturday. Clark wrote bogey on his scorecard five times in Sunday’s final round, but his 3-over score in that round still was good enough to edge second-place Sam Burns by a single stroke to capture the U.S. Open Championship Trophy, Jack Nicklaus medal and $4.5 million first-place prize.
And he did it all despite a lack of support as he settled inside the tee box, nestled his feet in the fairway and stood on the greens of the challenging course. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler often drew ruckus positive responses when he hit drives and pursued the title that would have given him a career Grand Slam.
“You know, some of it’s self-deserved,” Clark said of the fans. “I kind of brought it on myself, but I also get it, too. Scottie was going for the career Grand Slam, and it hasn’t happened very often.
“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. I would have liked to have won by more, but as long as you win, it doesn’t matter.”
Scheffler, who tied for fourth, was among the golfers who noticed Clark’s hecklers.
“New Yorkers, they are tough people,” said Scheffler, who tied with No. 32 J.T. Poston and No. 68 Keith Mitchell at par for the tournament. “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 behavior.”
No. 15 Sam Burns, who fired a final-round 67, placed second at 3-under for the tournament. No. 64 Tom Kim finished third at 1-under. No. 2 Rory McIlroy tied for 32nd at 6-over. No. 3 Cameron Young (8-over) tied for 43rd. No. 4 Matt Fitzpatrick placed 22nd at 4-over.
“New York didn’t really like me,” Clark said on the NBC broadcast. “I love you guys. 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. Hopefully I can win you guys over eventually.”
Clark, who also won the 2023 U.S. Open, will vie for his third major crown next month at the 2026 British Open. The final major of the season will be held July 16 to 19 in Southport, England.
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