Wyndham Clark's US Open victory fuels fan backlash and reveals personal feud

Wyndham Clark captured his second U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills, winning wire‑to‑wire despite a hostile crowd that booed and jeered his every shot. The 32‑year‑old thanked the “passionate, honest, and demanding” New York fans on X, writing, “To the fans, thank you for making this championship what it is.”

The backlash is tied to his affiliation with LIV Golf and a previous incident in which he smashed a locker at Oakmont, fueling a reputation as a polarizing figure. Golf influencer Paige Spiranac publicly defended Clark, calling the criticism “tiresome” and asserting that he is “misunderstood.”

During a June 24 appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast, Clark explained the origin of his 2016 tweet, “I hate Baker Mayfield,” saying, “My girlfriend at the time cheated on me with Baker Mayfield.” He added that the grudge has faded and that he now considers Mayfield a “homie.” Fellow golfer Max Homa offered his own theory on why fans reacted negatively, citing Clark’s past outbursts and locker‑room incident.

Overall, Clark’s win, the fan hostility, and his personal revelation have generated wide discussion across golf media and social platforms.