“Well Deserving Champion,” Scottie Scheffler Praises Wyndham Clark After He Tackles Hostile Crowd to Win 2026 U.S. Open

The United States Golf Association (USGA) removed some fans from the Shinnecock Hills in New York after they started heckling Wyndham Clark.

“Well Deserving Champion,” Scottie Scheffler Praises Wyndham Clark After He Tackles Hostile Crowd to Win 2026 U.S. Open

Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler (Image via X/@UnderdogGolf/Golf)

Wyndham Clark captured his 2nd U.S. Open title on Sunday with a 1-shot victory at Shinnecock Hills in New York. After the final round, Scottie Scheffler praised the golfer and called him a “well-deserving champion” as he tackled a hostile crowd to emerge as the winner.

Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open winner, had history in his sights when he entered the field on Sunday. The golfer started with a 6-under par score in the first round and found himself leading the tournament by 6 shots at the end of play on Saturday.

This was the 3rd largest lead in the U.S. Open after 54 holes. As he was cruising to his 2nd major win, Scheffler was looking to pull off a huge comeback and chase him down.

The World No.1 had his first shot at completing the career grand slam following his victories at the PGA Championship and the Open Championship last season. He was also celebrating his 30th birthday on Sunday.

He and Clark were the final pair in the final round. As Clark inched closer to victory, there were some fans in New York who started cheering against him. The fan heckling kept on increasing as some shouted for his shots to get in the bunker, while some started cheering his poor shots.

The announcers later revealed that some spectators were removed from the crowd. They added that the United States Golf Association (USGA) does not condone any of these actions.

Scheffler, who needed an under-par score to keep his chances alive, finished 1-over par on Sunday. Meanwhile, Clark shot a score of 73. Despite some setbacks, he was able to keep his composure and made par on the final hole to finish 1-shot ahead of runner-up, Sam Burns.

In the press conference after the tournament, Scheffler was asked about his reaction to the way the crowd reacted. In his answer, the 4-time major champion expressed that New Yorkers can be tough and praised the way Clark handled the situation.

The crowd was tough today. I mean, New Yorkers, they are tough people. There was a good turnout from the fans. … Being in the arena is not for everybody, and I think it shows a lot about Wyndham (Clark), how he handled not only this golf course but I think the crowd today as well and is a well-deserving champion.

Scottie Scheffler said regarding crowd reaction towards Wyndham Clark

This is not the first time that the fans in New York have come under criticism in golf. Last year at the Ryder Cup, Team Europe and their star Rory McIlroy, suffered huge heckling from the crowd at Bethpage Black Course.

Things hit a massive low when McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, was hit by a beer cup. American international and 8-time major champion Tom Watson later blasted the fans for their behavior. McIlroy, meanwhile, received an apology mail from PGA CEO Derek Sprague.

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Wyndham Clark opens up about getting booed at Shinnecock Hills

The American fans have many times raised their voices in support of an American golfer when they go up against a non-American for the title. Wyndham Clark, however, got booed by the New Yorkers despite being an American. The golfer later opened up about this reception.

Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark (Image via X/@UnderdogGolf)

The 32-year-old was looking to redeem himself in the eyes of the fans following the incident at Oakmont last year. At the 2025 U.S. Open, Clark missed the cut by finishing 8-over par, with the cutline being 7-over par.

As the emotions got the better of him, he ended up destroying a locker room at Oakmont. He later apologized for this outburst.

The fans did not like what happened and started rooting against him. In the final round, cheers started to grow for Sam Burns as he tried to complete a massive comeback in golf history.

While speaking with the reporters after the round, Clark addressed that it was tough to see the fans against him. However, he claimed that some of the jeers he got were self-deserved.

That was tough. You know, some of it’s self-deserved. I kind of brought it on myself, but I also get it, too. Scottie was going for the career Grand Slam, and it hasn’t happened very often.

Wyndham Clark said

Clark also became the 8th golfer to go wire-to-wire at the U.S. Open. He is the first since Martin Kaymer in 2014 to do so, and also the first player to win a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills after leading at the halfway stage.

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