After securing his second US Open title Sunday at Shinnecock Hills, Wyndham Clark addressed growing discussion around his reputation, saying he hopes the win helps move attention away from the controversies that have followed him over the past year.
“I sure hope it closes the door on it,” said Clark. “I hope I don’t become the heel of the PGA. I guess if I am, any press is good press, right?”
The comments came after Clark completed a tense final round to claim a one-shot victory over Sam Burns. Clark closed with a 3-over 73 and finished the championship at 4-under par. He entered Sunday with a six-shot advantage and became only the ninth wire-to-wire winner in US Open history.
The win gave Clark his second U.S. Open title in just six appearances at the championship. Only John McDermott, Walter Hagen and Ernie Els won two US Opens in fewer appearances, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Clark also joined a select group of players to win multiple US Opens since 2000, alongside Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
Despite the achievement, much of the week’s conversation centered on incidents that damaged Clark’s public image. In 2025, he apologized after kicking and damaging historic lockers at Oakmont Country Club following a missed cut at the US Open. He was required to pay for repairs, make a charitable donation and complete anger-management counseling. Earlier that season, he also damaged a sponsor sign after throwing a driver during the PGA Championship.
Those incidents contributed to a hostile atmosphere during the final round at Shinnecock Hills. Many spectators openly supported anyone challenging Clark’s lead. Fans celebrated some of his mistakes, one heckler was reportedly removed from the course, and much of the crowd instead focused its support on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was attempting to complete the career Grand Slam.
Clark admitted feeling the pressure, saying he woke up Sunday with a “pit” in his stomach. His front-nine 38 included multiple bogeys, allowing Burns to cut the deficit to one stroke. Burns eventually finished second at 3-under after a final-round 67, while Tom Kim placed third at 1-under.
The turning point came at the par-5 16th. After finding tall grass off the tee, Clark recovered brilliantly, hit his third shot to 24½ feet and converted the birdie putt to regain control. A three-putt bogey on the 17th reduced his lead back to one, but he safely handled the 18th with a two-putt par from around 52 feet.
Clark’s performance throughout the week was built on solid all-around play. He ranked 14th in strokes gained off the tee, fourth in strokes gained putting, converted 66% of his scrambling opportunities and gained more than 1.5 strokes on the greens. His opening-round 64 helped him reach a 54-hole total of 7-under 203, the lowest through three rounds in US Open competition at Shinnecock Hills.
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