Wyndham Clark admitted some of the adverse reaction towards him was “self-deserved” but felt his second US Open win in four years provided him with redemption.
Twelve months ago the American caused controversy when he missed the cut at Oakmont, damaged a locker in the historic clubhouse in a fit of pique and was subsequently banned by the club.
A belated apology was made and he paid for the damage. Oakmont also requested he made a “meaningful contribution to a charity of the board’s choosing” and requested he underwent anger management.
Clark went into the final day at Shinnecock Hills with a six-shot lead over playing partner Scottie Scheffler but with the world number one chasing a career grand slam, there were plenty in the crowd who were more than happy to cheer his mistakes.
While it was not on the level of the scenes which occurred at nearby Bethpage for September’s Ryder Cup, there was enough of an adverse reaction for local police to intervene and eject a couple of individuals.
“New York really didn’t really like me. I love you guys. Some of it is self-deserved – I’m still sorry for last year,” said Clark after a round of 73 saw him beat Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns by a shot.
“I get it, they root for Scottie. Grand Slams only happen a few times. He’s going to get it, he’s the best player in the world. But today is my day.
“The first one (in 2023) was a breakthrough knowing I could do it. This one was redemption.”
Clark successfully avoided conceding the biggest 54-hole lead in the event’s history after starting his final round with a six-stroke advantage.
After dominating through three days the 32-year-old’s aura quickly disappeared but while he may not have been the most popular winner his play over the week deserved it.
It was the ninth time the event had been won wire-to-wire and the first since Martin Kaymer in 2014.
Burns ran him close with a round of 67 but when his birdie putt at the last grazed the hole it left his rival needing to par his way home for victory.
Holing an unlikely 24-foot birdie putt from off the back of the 16th green should have given him a comfortable cushion, but he three-putted the next to drop back to four under.
However, he parred the last to be surprised by his dad Randall, who had flown in overnight to be with his son on Father’s Day, at the back of the green.
He also left Mike Brady still holding the record for the largest third-round US Open lead squandered – five shots in 1919.
Scheffler never got going as he was unable to generate any momentum on his way to a one-over 71 to tie for fourth.
Rory McIlroy accepted he had a “tiny” chance of producing something remarkable from 10 shots back, but it never materialised as he finished six over after a second successive 73.
The top European was Tyrrell Hatton, who secured back-to-back top-10s at the US Open with a 67 to get to one over, which was good enough for joint seventh and to secure his return next year.
Hatton, who plays for LIV Golf which limits his opportunities to qualify for majors, was happy to secure a return.
“I was happy to go out and play a pretty decent round of golf. Obviously the last hole (bogey) stings a bit now,” he said.
Masters champion McIlroy was left to rue “the wheels coming off” twice on the back nine this week.
“Looking back in the entire week I rue the back nine yesterday. I was two under par for the tournament after nine and then the wheels came off,” said the Northern Irishman, who shot 38 and 40 on the back nine on Friday and Saturday.
“I played a really bad back nine and I shot myself out of the tournament then. Friday too, I was three over for the back nine. I’ll rue both of those nines Friday and Saturday.”
