Wyndham Clark responds to US Open fans being removed by police for hostile reception
Wyndham Clark secured his second US Open title yesterday at Shinnecock Hills, though his triumph came amid an unusually hostile atmosphere from spectators.The 32-year-old American led from start to finish in demanding conditions at the New York venue, adding to his maiden major victory at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.However, the championship was marred by crowd behaviour that saw police remove several fans for heckling Clark during play."Man, they definitely didn't want me to win," Clark acknowledged afterwards. "It's pretty rare in an Open Championship or a major to have fans kind of boo against your shots or cheer for bad shots."Clark conceded that the crowd's animosity was largely of his own making, stemming from an incident at last year's championship."Some of it's self-deserved. I kind of brought it on myself," he said.At the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, Clark missed the cut by a single stroke and subsequently damaged a century-old locker in the clubhouse during an angry outburst."I did some unfortunate things last year that I really regret, and I've been sorry multiple times and I'm still sorry, so hopefully I can win you guys over eventually," Clark told reporters following his victory.The fallout from Oakmont proved severe for Clark, who was banned from the property following the incident.His reinstatement was made conditional on completing anger management or counselling sessions, paying for the damage caused, and making a charitable donation selected by the club.Reports earlier this week confirmed Clark had fulfilled all requirements imposed upon him.The golfer revealed the personal toll the episode had taken. "What happened at Oakmont was obviously the lowest point," he said."People probably didn't see what happened after, but you know, it was a really tough two, three days for me. "I was in a dark place, didn't really go outside much."Clark explained how he coped with the negativity throughout the tournament. "Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive," he said.The two-time major champion also acknowledged that Scottie Scheffler's pursuit of the career Grand Slam had contributed to the crowd favouring his rival. "I get it they were rooting for Scottie. Grand Slams only happen a few times," Clark said. "But today it's my day."Looking ahead, Clark expressed optimism that his Shinnecock Hills triumph might help him move past the Oakmont controversy, stating he hopes the victory "closes the door" on that chapter of his career.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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