Wyndham Clark etched his name into golf history over the weekend, becoming a two-time U.S. Open champion with a gritty final round at Shinnecock Hills. But while his victory was a career-defining moment, the atmosphere around him left a sour taste.
Clark, who joined legends like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as a wire-to-wire winner at this major, couldn't ignore the glaring lack of fan energy. In his post-tournament press conference, he didn't hold back, calling out the sparse crowd that seemed to vanish as the afternoon wore on.
“It was kind of unfortunate that we’re finishing in the dark and that people weren’t really out there, because there were some kind of big, key moments, and it did kind of get a little flat,” Clark admitted. He thrives on crowd energy, saying, “I love the energy. I love making a big putt and feeling that, or hitting a good shot and getting the claps. So, it was unfortunate that it got a little flat.”
The two-time major winner even admitted the empty stands made it tough to stay locked in. “It seemed like everyone was leaving, and the tournament was over. And I had to keep myself really focused in the present, and I didn’t do my best job,” he said.
Fans watching at home noticed the same thing. Social media lit up with criticism of the turnout. Content creator Rick Moe pointed out one of Clark's most jaw-dropping shots—a 275-yard approach that landed just three feet from the pin for the first eagle on that hole all week—and got almost no reaction. “This is a rough look,” Moe wrote. “Zero pop. So few fans left. They started the event way too late and Wyndham isn’t a fan fave. Stands empty.”
Kevin Van Valkenburg of The Fried Egg blamed the shot-of-the-year candidate falling flat on the tournament's scheduling. “Truly the only whiff of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock is just how early fans have to leave to catch the last train back to the city,” he tweeted. “They are just POURING for the exits right now and the leaders are on Hole 6.”
The late start, combined with Long Island's limited public transit options, forced many spectators to bail before the drama peaked. Clark's girlfriend, Emily Tanner, was on hand to support him, and her cheers were a bright spot, but even that couldn't fill the empty seats.
For the PGA, the weekend was a win—Clark's second major title is a big deal. But the attendance issue is a black mark on an otherwise thrilling tournament. Organizers will likely rethink the schedule for future events in the Garden State to avoid another flat finish.
As Clark put it, the energy makes the game special. Next time, hopefully the fans stick around to see it.
