Wyndham Clark Hoping for Fan Redemption at 2026 U.S. Open Following Major Outburst at Oakmont Last Year

2023 U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark sits top of the leaderboard of the 2026 edition after 36 holes with a 7-under par score.

Wyndham Clark Hoping for Fan Redemption at 2026 U.S. Open Following Major Outburst at Oakmont Last Year

Wyndham Clark (Image via X/@UnderdogGolf)

Wyndham Clark is eyeing a second U.S. Open title this week. At the halfway stage, the golfer finds himself top of the leaderboard at Shinnecock Hills. On Friday, he expressed that he wanted to win back the support of the fans following his major outburst at Oakmont last year.

The 2023 U.S. Open winner found himself under extreme heat following his actions in this event in 2025. Clark, who shot an opening round score of 74 last year, needed a strong performance in the second round to make the cut.

The American international ended up carding another round of 74 and was 8-over par after two rounds. The tough conditions of Oakmont saw the cutline being announced at 7-over par.

This meant that Clark finished 1-shot shy of making the cut. As he was forced to take an early leave, the frustrations got the better of him. He ended up smashing a locker room at the club. While he later apologized for his actions, he was banned from the club.

This year, he hopes to redeem himself. On Thursday, he was 6-under par through 16 holes when the play was suspended. On Friday, he first capped off his first round before starting the second round.

In this, he fired a score of 1-under par with 3 birdies and 2 bogeys. He ended the day being 7-under par for the tournament, 4 shots ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick, who is second in the standings.

While speaking with the reports, the 32-year-old expressed that he had gotten a lot of grief and admitted that he deserved it. He then mentioned that he was hoping to win back the fans this week with a strong finish.

I’m hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident. You know, I really feel like I can show people that I’m fun and outgoing, I’m fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment. Hopefully, I can win those people back.

Wyndham Clark told the reporters

In the pre-tournament press conference, Clark had opened up about this incident. During this, he claimed he regretted what he did and felt “awful.“

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History is not on Wyndham Clark’s side at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills

Wyndham Clark surged up to the top of the leaderboard at the U.S. Open on Thursday and remained there at the end of Friday. As he seeks his 2nd major win, history is not on his side at the Shinnecock Hills.

Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark (Image via Imago)

As per stats, no player has gone on to win a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills after being the 36-hole leader. Clark is currently 4 shots ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick.

In 2018, Dustin Johnson was leading the tournament by 4 shots after 36 holes. However, he was unable to convert his lead and lost the title to Brooks Koepka.

In 2004, Phil Mickelson had a share of the lead at the halfway stage. In the end, Retief Goosen finished 2 shots ahead of him to win this major. Mickelson was the reigning Masters Champion at that time.

In 1995, Greg Norman also stumbled at Shinnecock Hills. The Australian was leading after the second round on Friday. He, though, came second as Corey Pavin finished 2 shots ahead of him.

9 years before, in 1986, Norman had suffered the same fate. He was 1-under par after two rounds and had a 3-shot lead. However, he fired a final round score of 75 and finished T12, six shots behind the winner, Raymond Floyd.

So being the 36-hole leader at a U.S. Open in Shinnecock Hills does not guarantee a victory. On top of that, this is the 23rd time since the 1934 Masters Tournament that a player has led a major by exactly 4 shots after 36 holes. Only 7 of the previous 22 went on to win.

Clark will play in the final pairing alongside Fitzpatrick on Saturday. This marks the first time since 2012 that a final pairing at a U.S. Open on Saturday features two former U.S. Open winners.

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