06/21/26 07:46:00
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06/21 19:45 CDT Wyndham Clark avoids record collapse and holds on to win the US
Open
Wyndham Clark avoids record collapse and holds on to win the US Open
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) --- Wyndham Clark couldn't remember being in a darker
place. He was publicly reviled for a moment of petulance when he smashed a
locker at Oakmont after missing the cut in the U.S. Open last year. His game,
his reputation, he felt it all was slipping away.
Sunday at Shinnecock Hills wasn't much better. The New York crowd behind
Scottie Scheffler in his bid for a career Grand Slam turned on Clark, cheering
his misses and wishing for the worst.
That's what made this U.S. Open title so much sweeter.
On the edge of the greatest collapse in U.S. Open history, Clark held his nerve
against a charge by Sam Burns and a Shinnecock Hills crowd that never gave him
much love until he showed his mettle with his second U.S. Open title in four
years.
"The first one was kind of just the breakthrough of knowing I can do it," Clark
said after a two-putt par from 50 feet for a 3-over 73 and a one-shot victory.
"And then this one was a lot of redemption. Last year was so tough, a terrible
year. I left this place in shambles, and it's amazing what a year can do. I'm
leaving here this Sunday as a champion, and I'm just so blessed."
Clark, who won the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, became the first
wire-to-wire winner of the U.S. Open since Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in
2014.
This sure didn't feel like a stroll through the Hamptons.
He had the largest 54-hole lead in the U.S. Open in 15 years. It was down to a
single shot in just five holes, and stress followed him the rest of the way.
The clincher for Clark was on the par-5 16th, where on Saturday he made the
only eagle of the week. This time it was his worst drive, well left into the
gnarly fescue. He gouged that out and narrowly cleared a bunker. His 8-iron
barely stayed on the back of the green. He rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt for
a two-shot lead with holes to play.
It was a signature moment with muted applause. The gallery rooted against him
all day, putting all their support behind Scheffler, who made his own share of
mistakes and never got closer than three shots of Clark all day.
"Winning major championships is extremely difficult," Scheffler said after a 71
to tie for fourth. "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."
Clark had the highest final round of a U.S. Open champion since Graeme McDowell
closed with a 74 to win at Pebble Beach. No matter. The 32-year-old American
has two U.S. Open titles, and two wins in the last month.
Burns closed with a 67, his second chance in as many years to win the U.S.
Open. He bounced back from a three-putt bogey on the 15th with a an 18-foot
birdie to stay within one shot. He made a weak pass at a 10-foot birdie putt to
tie for the lead on the 17th. What haunts him is a 17-foot birdie chance on the
18th that grazed the right edge of the cup, causing him to drop to his knees.
"I would say last year at Oakmont I felt more I lost the golf tournament. I
certainly don't feel that way today," Burn said. "I did everything I could to
have a chance to win today."
Clark finished at 4-under 276 and got a surprise at the end when his father,
Randall, took an overnight flight from Denver to watch his son win for the
first time.
Even the New York crowd had no choice but to salute him.
"New York didn't really like me --- I love you guys," Clark said at the closing
ceremony, hoisting the silver trophy. "But I get it. Some of it's
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."
Clark noticed fans leaving early on Saturday and hoped for a big crowd and big
energy for the final round. He got every bit of that, and it was uncomfortable
at times. One was ejected when he shouted, "Don't choke, Wyndham." The
grandstand behind the seventh green broke into cheers when his shot rolled off
the green and into the bunker.
"I get it --- they were rooting for Scottie," Clark said. "Grand Slams only
happen a few times. He's going to get it. He's the best player in the world.
But today it's my day."
It almost wasn't.
But Burns never caught caught him. No one did.
Tom Kim, who like Scheffler celebrated a birthday on Sunday, was on the fringes
of seriously contending until he fell back with a bogey on the 17th and shot 70
to finish third.
Clark's hit a superb wedge that spun back to 4 feet for birdie on the 10th to
restore the lead to two shots. But then he went long on the 13th with a
pitching wedge and couldn't save par. And then came his big moment on the 16th,
and one last act of lagging a 50-foot putt to tap-in range.
That's how it was at Los Angeles in 2023, when he needed two putts from 60 feet
and lagged it close. Clark simply is at his best against tough tests, and rough
arenas. Three years ago, he denied Rory McIlroy. This time it was Scheffler.
"The first one was amazing, and this one seems even better," Clark said. "I
think especially after such a sour taste last year in this championship, to
have some redemption and win this again is almost surreal."
A month ago, he was two years without a win and No. 75 in the world. Then he
shot 60 in the final round to win The CJ Cup, contended the next two weeks and
won his second major. It moves him to No. 8 in the world.
The smile he wore holding that U.S. Open trophy would suggest he feels on top
of the world.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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