Wyndham Clark’s U.S. Open Triumph Overshadowed by Fan Hostility

Wyndham Clark captured his second U.S. Open title at Oakmont Golf Club last weekend. The win came despite a “torturous revolt” from spectators who repeatedly cheered against him throughout the tournament, treating him as an away player in a Ryder Cup-style atmosphere.

Newsweek

Clark’s reputation was already strained by a locker-room outburst after missing the cut at the 2022 U.S. Open, also held at Oakmont. The incident, described by peers as a “locker-wrecking” episode, set the stage for heightened scrutiny and resentment from fans during his 2023 run.

GOLF Magazine

• Wyndham Clark – 2023 U.S. Open champion, noted for his steady play but also for the prior disciplinary incident.

Newsweek

• Matt Fitzpatrick – English professional who paired with Clark in the third round and later commented publicly on the fan treatment.

GOLF Magazine

Matt Fitzpatrick, speaking on Golf’s “Subpar” podcast, said he does not excuse Clark’s behavior at Oakmont, noting it was “not really the smartest thing to do.” He initially expected the backlash to fade within a few months, but observed that the abuse persisted throughout the event. Fitzpatrick characterized the sustained hostility as “unfair” and unprecedented in his experience.

GOLF Magazine

Spectators directed a “volume and intensity” of verbal abuse at Clark that, according to Fitzpatrick, eclipsed any prior treatment of a player during a single tournament. Fans were reported to have “rooted against him like he was an away golfer at the Ryder Cup,” maintaining the pressure from the first round through the final day.

Newsweek

Fitzpatrick’s teammate status gave him a clear view of the crowd’s conduct. He recounted that the chants and jeers were constant, with no noticeable decline even as Clark moved up the leaderboard. The hostile environment was described as a “torturous revolt,” suggesting that the fans’ actions were coordinated and sustained.

GOLF Magazine

The sources provide a consistent narrative of fan hostility; no alternative accounts or official tournament statements were cited. Consequently, the article lacks verification from event organizers regarding crowd management or disciplinary measures.

GOLF Magazine

• “I’m not condoning what he did at Oakmont,” — Matt Fitzpatrick, Professional Golfer

Newsweek

• “It was not really the smartest thing to do.” — Matt Fitzpatrick, Professional Golfer

Newsweek

• “Part of me thought, give it two to three months and everyone would forget about it and you’d never hear about it again,” — Matt Fitzpatrick, Professional Golfer

Newsweek

• “unfair.” — Matt Fitzpatrick, Professional Golfer

Newsweek

• “Since you’ve been out there, do you remember a time where fans were as hard on a guy throughout the entire event as they were with Wyndham Clark this week?” — Drew Stoltz (podcast co-host)

Newsweek

Both Wyndham Clark and Matt Fitzpatrick have re-emerged near the top of the leaderboard at the Travelers Championship, indicating that the controversy has not impeded their competitive momentum.

Newsweek