Wyndham Clark endured more than just the pressure of leading the U.S. Open on Sunday, as several spectators were reportedly removed by police following repeated taunts and abuse directed toward the American at Shinnecock Hills.
Clark entered the final round holding a commanding six-shot advantage, but from the opening tee it quickly became clear that much of the crowd was rooting against the defending champion.
When his name was announced on the first tee, applause was limited before one spectator shouted, “Canada hates you,” a reference to Clark wearing a Team USA hockey jersey during last week’s RBC Canadian Open.
As the round progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly hostile.
Following several tee shots, spectators could reportedly be heard yelling “Get in the bunker,” while others openly celebrated missed greens, missed putts and mistakes made by the American. According to reports from the course, law enforcement officers were forced to escort multiple spectators away after repeated heckling and disruptive behavior.
Clark found himself in the difficult position of trying to protect his lead while also dealing with an increasingly vocal crowd.
Part of the support against Clark came from the presence of Scottie Scheffler in the final pairing. The world No. 1, celebrating his 30th birthday and chasing a career Grand Slam, was the clear crowd favorite throughout much of the round.
As the tension grew, spectators directed additional comments toward Clark, including chants of “Nobody likes you” and “Boogeyman’s coming.”
The difficult atmosphere appeared to affect his early play. Clark bogeyed the opening hole before dropping additional shots at the fifth and seventh holes, allowing several challengers to close the gap.
Despite the setbacks, Clark managed to remain in front.
A birdie at the 10th hole helped steady his round and allowed him to maintain his advantage as the championship entered its closing stages.
The hostile reaction from some fans may stem from several incidents involving Clark over the past year. During the 2025 PGA Championship, he came under criticism after throwing a club that nearly struck a volunteer. He also faced backlash following last year’s U.S. Open after damaging a locker inside the clubhouse at Oakmont.
The incident reportedly resulted in a formal rebuke from the club, with officials stating that Clark would not be welcomed back when future U.S. Opens are held there.
Nevertheless, many observers felt the level of abuse directed at Clark at Shinnecock crossed the line.
Several commentators compared the atmosphere to the Ryder Cup crowds at Bethpage Black, where visiting European players faced similarly hostile treatment from spectators.
While passionate crowds are often part of major championship golf, officials are increasingly taking a stronger stance against fan misconduct. The removal of several spectators during Sunday’s round demonstrated that tournament organizers were unwilling to tolerate behavior that disrupted play or crossed acceptable boundaries.
For Clark, the challenge became about more than simply protecting a lead. Throughout the final round, he was forced to battle both one of golf’s toughest courses and a crowd that largely seemed determined to see him fail.
Despite the noise and distractions, Clark continued to fight for the championship, showing resilience under some of the most difficult circumstances a player can face on golf’s biggest stage.