Clark wins second US Open title despite hecklers | Golf news

Wyndham Clark has redeemed himself from breaking the lock at last year’s US Open by winning this year’s edition, but after a ruthless performance, he fears becoming a PGA Tour villain.

Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, fought off boos from New York fans to triple par 73 and earn a one-shot victory over American Sam Burns at Shinnecock Hills in New York for the second major title.

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“The first one was amazing, and this one looks even better,” Clark said. Especially after such a bitter taste last year in this tournament, to have redemption and win again is almost surreal.”

Clark has repeatedly apologized for vandalizing a locker at Oakmont in Pennsylvania after missing a wallet last year.

“I hope it closes the door,” Clark said. “I’ll always have (hecklers), but I’m sure I’ll never be a PGA heel.”

Clark recalled that experience as his darkest moment, never dreaming that he would win the US Open a year later.

“After what happened at Oakmont it was obviously very low,” Clark said. It was two, three very difficult days for me, I was in a dark place, not really going out.

“I feel that most of my work, international status, fame, everything is diminishing.

“At this point, I never thought I’d be here this year doing this.”

While some scoffed at what Clark would have done to his locker if he had blown a six-point lead in the final quarter, Clark said he was able to control his anger.

Clark said: “I’m not as angry as I used to be. I think I get upset because my anger is gone, which is a great blessing.”

“It’s a combination of things that don’t go well,” he said. “My game seems to be in a good place, and I am very happy where I am.

“Last year, I got too busy with things that didn’t matter.”

It didn’t help that last year’s Ryder Cup team was bypassed.

“That was another stomach churning that I didn’t do,” he said. I’m glad I’m here on the other side of things.

This helped him deal with hecklers and galleries who greeted his big shots in silence while cheering on his mistakes.

“They didn’t want me to win,” Clark said. “It’s very rare for fans to hate you or love you for taking a wrong shot.” It was hard but sometimes being humble is fun.

“I just felt like I brought it on myself. I’m proud that I fought this problem. Things could have really come from me.”

‘Most of the time’

He laughed about his low cheer from spectators and caddy Dave Pelekoudas.

“If we hear someone cheering me on, I go, ‘There’s one guy who likes me,'” Clark said.

“But it’s tough, man. I’ve played the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup overseas, and it was a little bit like that.”

Scottie Scheffler caddy Ted Scott praised him after he finished.

“He walked away saying, ‘Hey, that took a lot of grit. Nobody really pulls you, and fighting and winning, that was impressive,'” Clark said.

Clark teased locals at the PGA Canadian Open last week when he wore a USA hockey jersey that earned him boos.

“He was very mean to me,” Clark said. “It’s hard for me to deal with it, but I can get through it, and there’s nothing like winning an outdoor game.”