After a rough 2025, Wyndham Clark appears to be back on track this year, capturing his second career U.S. Open win on Sunday by holding off Sam Burns in the final round.
After the first two rounds, Clark set a 36-hole record at Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open with his low score of 7-under (133), and after the third round, it seemed he still had a good lead. However, things became rocky as he lost a six-stroke lead with Burns giving chase until his birdie putts missed on the final two holes.
Ultimately, Clark recorded a 3-over-73 in his final round, finishing at 4-under to capture the win, marking a major turnaround for the golfer who destroyed two lockers at the same event held at Pennsylvania’s Oakmont Country Club last year.
He became the ninth golfer to go wire-to-wire to win the event, joining a list that includes Rory McIlroy in 2011 and Tiger Woods twice, once in 2000 and a second time in 2002.
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And he made a strong statement after his win, including another apology for his previous antics during his performance last year at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
“New York didn’t really like me. I love you guys,” he said during Mike Tirico’s interview immediately after the win.
“But you know, I get it. You know, some of it’s self-deserved, and it’s 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. But I get it, they’re rooting for Scottie. Grand slams only happen a few times. So, he’s gonna get it. He’s the best player in the world, but today’s my day,” Clark told Tirico.
At one point, Scheffler was in second place on the leaderboard, which had many fans feeling like he might finally achieve his first career Grand Slam.
Sunday also marked Scheffler’s 30th birthday, which gave the New York crowd extra incentive to root for him, beyond the fact that Clark destroyed 121-year-old lockers at Oakmont Country Club. However, Clark was able to keep himself focused enough to endure the pro-Scheffler crowd and Burns’ threatening to take over the leaderboard.
He hadn’t won a single tournament all of last year, which was marred by that aggressive outburst in the locker room and a ban by the club. However, in just the past few months, he’s won two tournaments, which also included The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
It feels like it’s been a major turning point for Clark with last month’s win and with today’s U.S. Open victory. Sunday’s post-win apology and message in support of Scheffler seems like another step in the right direction as he’s now won his second career major.
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