Full Breakdown
Long Island Fans’ Conduct at the 2026 U.S. Open Sparks Debate Over Golf’s Spectator Standards
6/24/2026, 11:16:31 AM
The 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills: Fan Conduct and Outcome
The 126th U.S. Open concluded on June 21, 2026 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Wyndham Clark won his second U.S. Open, posting a 3-over 73 in the final round and edging Sam Burns by one stroke. During the closing round, multiple spectators were ejected after repeatedly heckling Clark with chants such as “Don’t choke Wyndham” and “Get in the bunker.” The incident prompted a wave of commentary about the behavior of Long Island golf fans.
Background: Recent Controversies on Long Island Courses
Long Island’s reputation for volatile galleries intensified after the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll were subjected to boos and a beer-throwing incident. Clark himself entered the 2026 Open under a cloud from a 2025 locker-room outburst at Oakmont, where he damaged two lockers and was subsequently banned from that venue.
Key Figures and Their Perspectives
- Eamon Lynch – Golf Channel analyst who labeled Long Island fans “a stain on the game of golf.”
- Wyndham Clark – Two-time U.S. Open champion, acknowledging past misconduct and thanking the “passionate, honest, and demanding” crowd.
- Scottie Scheffler – World No. 1, described the gallery as “tough” but noted occasional excess.
- Rory McIlroy – European Tour star who urged higher standards after the 2025 Ryder Cup.
- Dan Patrick – Radio host who called the Long Island crowd’s behavior “embarrassing.”
Data & Statistics
- Clark’s final-round score: 73 (+3).
- Winning margin: 1 stroke over Sam Burns.
- Scheduled future Long Island majors: KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (Bethpage Black, 2028), PGA Championship (Bethpage Black, 2033), U.S. Open (Shinnecock Hills, 2036).
- Multiple spectators were removed; exact numbers were not disclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
Clark told CBS News the 2025 locker incident was “unacceptable” and framed his 2026 victory as a “redemption tour,” adding that the crowd’s intensity “pushed us to compete at our best.” McIlroy, speaking after the 2025 Ryder Cup, said golf “should be held to a higher standard than what was seen.” The PGA of America confirmed the 2028, 2033, and 2036 events will proceed as planned, emphasizing continued commitment to major championships on Long Island.
Criticism & Opposition
Lynch argued that Long Island fans “do not deserve” future majors, echoing a broader media chorus that included Rick Reilly’s expletive-laden tweet and Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir describing the fans as “poisonous.” Dan Patrick labeled the behavior “kind of embarrassing” and suggested the crowd was rooting for Scheffler’s career Grand Slam rather than Clark.
On-the-Ground Reports
Eyewitness accounts recorded fans shouting “Don’t choke Wyndham” and “Get in the bunker,” leading security to escort several individuals off the course. Clark noted the atmosphere was “unusual for a major championship” but said he “adjusted” and focused on his game.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise number of ejections and on whether the hostility was unique to Long Island or reflective of a national trend. No official tally of removed spectators has been released, and opinions vary on the extent to which the crowd’s conduct influenced play.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Long Island golf fans are a stain on the game of golf.” — Eamon Lynch, Golf Channel analyst
- “It doesn’t happen at Winged Foot, doesn’t happen at Baltusrol on the other side of the Hudson River. It happens on Long Island every single time.” — Eamon Lynch
- “The crowd was tough today. I mean, New Yorkers, they are tough people,” — Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1
- “It was an unfortunate thing I did a year ago at the U.S. Open, and you know, it's brought some scrutiny to me,” — Wyndham Clark
- “You could tell early that that crowd came out rooting for Scottie to complete the (career) Grand Slam, and probably didn’t view Wyndham Clark as user-friendly or somebody they wanted to root for,” — Dan Patrick, radio host
What’s Next: Future Events and Policy Discussions
With three major championships slated for Long Island over the next decade, the PGA of America faces pressure to address spectator conduct. Analysts like Lynch have suggested adopting Augusta National’s strict phone-free, zero-tolerance model, while players and fans continue to debate the balance between passionate support and respectful decorum.
