Wyndham Clark Defies Hostile Shinnecock Hills Crowd to Claim Second U.S. Open Title
Despite entering Sunday with a six-shot lead, Wyndham Clark had to battle a surging Sam Burns and an aggressively partisan New York crowd to secure his second major championship.
Wyndham Clark proved his mettle once again under the most grueling conditions imaginable, capturing his second U.S. Open title in three years at Shinnecock Hills. Clark, currently priced at +3300 (FanDuel), withstood not only the relentless pressure of a major Sunday but also an actively hostile New York gallery that openly cheered his missteps.
Entering the final round with a seemingly insurmountable six-stroke cushion—a lead no player has ever blown in U.S. Open history—Clark saw his advantage shrink to a single shot after just five holes. A charging Sam Burns, valued at +2200 (FanDuel), pushed the leader to the brink. Burns, who led the PGA Tour in putting last season, had looks to tie Clark from inside 30 feet on the 11th, 12th, 17th, and 18th holes, but missed them all en route to a 3-under round. Clark ultimately carded a 3-over 73, sealing the one-shot victory with a clutch two-putt from over 50 feet on the 72nd hole.
Surviving the Shinnecock Gallery
The victory was as much a mental triumph as a physical one. Paired with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler +480 (FanDuel)—reminiscent of his 2023 pairing with fan favorite Rickie Fowler +10000 (Bovada)—Clark faced relentless heckling. Spectators cheered when the 32-year-old missed greens and putts, and one fan even sang Queen's "Under Pressure" as Clark prepared for his final-hole test. The atmosphere was so toxic that Clark's sports psychologist reportedly retreated from the gallery to escape the vitriol. "Man, they definitely didn't want me to win," Clark admitted afterward. "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."
While English veteran Justin Rose +5500 (Bovada) praised the Long Island crowd for the warm reception he received during his near-top-10 finish, Clark had to find solace elsewhere. He found it in his father, Randall, who took a red-eye flight from Denver to witness the triumph. Embracing his son on the 18th green, Randall whispered five defining words: "Toughest round you've ever played." With two major titles now on his resume, Clark has cemented his status as a resilient big-game hunter who thrives when the conditions—and the crowds—are at their harshest.
FAQ
- How many U.S. Open titles has Wyndham Clark won?
- Wyndham Clark has won two U.S. Open titles, with his second victory coming at Shinnecock Hills.
- Who finished runner-up to Wyndham Clark at the U.S. Open?
- Sam Burns finished just one stroke behind Clark after a stellar 3-under final round.
- What was the crowd's reaction to Wyndham Clark during the final round?
- The Shinnecock Hills crowd was openly hostile toward Clark, cheering his missed putts and bad shots as they rooted for his competitors.