Clark overcomes tough course, nasty crowd to win US Open

The course was difficult. Understandably. The fans were worse. And this was a home country crowd. 

Somehow, despite the conditions and his own infrequent mistakes, Wyndham Clark, on a 3-over par 73, won the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.

His four-round total of 276 was one shot lower than the oncoming Sam Burns, whose 3-under-67 brought him up on a day when most others struggled, including Clark. 

Wyndham overcame the fans’ incivility to become one of the rare individuals with a second Open title, adding this one to his victory at the Los Angeles County Club in 2023.

He began the final round this time seven-under par, seemingly comfortably ahead. But as everyone who knows Open history understands, no lead is comfortable in the Open, particularly in the last round.

What may not be understood is the way the fans treated Clark. True, a year ago, after missing the cut at the Open at Oakmont outside Pittsburgh, Clark was so angry he bashed up two lockers. He has since apologized for his disgraceful conduct, and most people have accepted his contrition.

What is hard to accept is the way he was treated on Sunday at Shinnecock. New York is known for rowdy behavior among the sporting public, but it is usually aimed against one of the opposing teams or a member of the European Ryder Cup team. Even the popular Rory McIlroy was harassed at the Cup matches last fall at Bethpage Black, of course, located not far from Shinnecock. But the Golf Channel’s astute Brandel Chamblee, a one-time touring pro, was appalled by the way that Clark was treated. 

So was Clark. 

“New York didn’t really like me—I love you guys,” said Clark. “But I get it. Some of it is self-deserved. 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.” 

There were no regrets about the way he played this Open, except perhaps from the people at NBC television who appeared obsessed with Scottie Scheffler.

Indeed, Scheffler is No. 1 in the world rankings and turned 30 on Sunday, and needed only a win in The Open to join a rare club of golfers who have won each of the four major championships. The group of course includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and after the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy. 

Maybe Scheffler will get that missing Open next year when the tournament is held at Pebble Beach, but this year from start to finish belonged to Clark, who took the lead on day one, with 6-under 64, when the winds off the Atlantic Ocean died down late Thursday afternoon, and stayed in front forever, or until the final putt dropped. 

Scheffler finished with a 1-over par 71. “Winning major championships is extremely difficult,” said Scheffler, who was tied for fourth at even-par 280. “He had some stones down the stretch… 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. And he is a well-deserving champion.”

Even if disrespected by New Yorkers.