The U.S. Open crowd has always been a rowdy bunch, but this year's treatment of champion Wyndham Clark has sparked a heated debate. While some golf purists are crying foul over the heckling, a growing chorus of voices is calling the backlash itself 'embarrassing' and out of touch with sports reality.
On Sunday, fans at Shinnecock Hills made no secret of their disdain for Clark, who went on to win the tournament for the second time. The crowd rooted against his every shot, cheering louder for rivals like Scottie Scheffler. Clark, who famously damaged a locker room at Oakmont last year, acknowledged the hostility after his victory.
'New York didn't really like me. I love you guys, but, you know, I get it,' Clark said. 'Some of it is self-deserved. I did some unfortunate things last year that I really regret. I've been sorry multiple times and I'm still sorry, so hopefully I can win you guys over eventually. But 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 it's my day.'
The criticism of the crowd quickly spread online, with Barstool Sports' 'Fore Play' podcast accusing fans of crossing the line. They argued the crowd was simply 'mean.' But not everyone agrees, and the pushback has been fierce.
Paul Zeise, a sports columnist, took to social media to call out the complainers. 'All of the whining about the US Open crowd heckling this weekend has reached an embarrassing level. My goodness how soft are these people making an issue of it. If yelling “miss it” or “get in the bunker” is cause for getting kicked out, nobody would be left at every football game,' he wrote.
Other fans piled on, with one saying, 'Golf is the only sport that prohibits fans from openly rooting against whoever it is you want to lose. It is so dumb. What a bunch of coddled pansies.' Another added bluntly, 'Golf is for lightweights.'
The debate echoes similar controversies in other sports, like the recent NBA Finals crowd dynamics where athletes' family members clapped back at commentators. And it's not the first time golf has wrestled with fan behavior—just look at the ongoing scrutiny of U.S. Open crowds.
Some argue that heckling is part of the game in every major sport, from football to basketball. The question is whether golf, traditionally a reserved sport, should evolve or stick to its polite roots. As Jack Nicklaus has warned about the crowded PGA Tour schedule, the sport is under pressure to adapt to modern audiences.
Where do you stand? Is the U.S. Open crowd just having fun, or did they cross a line? The debate isn't going away anytime soon.
