Wyndham Clark survives hostile crowd and final-round wobble to win second US Open at Shinnecock Hills
Wyndham Clark held off a charging Sam Burns and a hostile Shinnecock Hills crowd to win his second U.S. Open title by one shot, while Scottie Scheffler's bid for a career Grand Slam fell short on his 30th birthday.
Final round drama
Clark entered Sunday with a six-shot lead but carded a 3-over 73, allowing Burns to close within one. Burns missed a birdie putt on the 18th green that would have forced a playoff. Clark tapped in from close range to secure the win, becoming the ninth wire-to-wire champion in U.S. Open history.
- Wyndham Clark
- -4 strokes relative to par
- Sam Burns
- -3 strokes relative to par
- Tom Kim
- -2 strokes relative to par
- Scottie Scheffler
- 0 strokes relative to par
Hostile reception
The New York crowd openly rooted against Clark, cheering his mistakes and directing abuse at him. Several spectators were removed from the course. Clark acknowledged that some of the hostility was self-inflicted after last year's locker-room incident at Oakmont.
It's pretty rare in a U.S. Open or a major to have fans kind of boo against your shots or cheer for bad shots.
Scheffler, who benefited from the crowd's support, said the jeering "felt a bit much" when balls went off greens and cheers erupted.
Clark's redemption
Clark described the period after Oakmont as a dark time, fearing for his career and reputation. He has since apologized, paid restitution, and rebuilt his game, winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson last month.
I felt a lot of my career, world ranking, reputation, everything just dwindling.
This victory marks his second U.S. Open and fifth PGA Tour title. He earned $4.5 million for the win.
Scheffler's Grand Slam wait continues
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing in the final group on his 30th birthday, needed a U.S. Open win to complete the career Grand Slam. He shot 71 and finished tied for fourth, never mounting a serious challenge. He will have to wait another year.
Notable performances
Tom Kim finished third, adding to his runner-up at the 2023 British Open. Keith Mitchell became the first man to shoot four rounds of even-par 70 in a U.S. Open. Joaquin Niemann recovered from an 11 on the sixth hole in round one to shoot 66 on Sunday and finish seventh, earning a spot at next year's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
