LOS ANGELES (AP) — In the glittering city of Los Angeles, Wyndham Clark crafted his own narrative at the U.S. Open.
Standing before him was Rory McIlroy, a golf prodigy on the cusp of ending his frustrating nine-year major championship drought. Alongside him in the final group on Sunday was Rickie Fowler, a local hero from Southern California who had emerged from a three-year slump and was poised to claim his long-awaited maiden major title.
Clark carried with him a profound message from his late mother: “Play big.” It was a mantra that had guided him throughout his career, instilling in him the belief that he could go toe-to-toe with anyone on the grandest of stages.
And what stage could be grander than the U.S. Open set against the backdrop of Beverly Hills? It was here that Clark showcased nerves of steel, delivering clutch saves, and unleashing a defining shot that granted him control. With unwavering composure, he held off McIlroy’s charge to claim his place among the pantheon of major champions.
Reflecting on his triumph, Clark humbly stated, “I truly believe that I belong on this stage. Even two or three years ago, when I was relatively unknown, I had this inner conviction that I could compete and hold my own against the world’s best players.”
He achieved this remarkable victory in only his seventh appearance in a major tournament, a significant improvement from his previous best finish of tying for 75th place. Moreover, his triumph came a mere six weeks after securing his first PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow.
“I never imagined it would happen this quickly, both in terms of my mental growth and the progress I’ve made,” Clark expressed. “But deep down, I’ve always believed that I have the potential to be one of the best players in the world. This win just validates what I’ve always held onto.”
The climactic conclusion unfolded on the 18th hole at Los Angeles Country Club, where Clark showcased his mettle. With a 60-foot putt, he sent the ball rolling towards the hole, and when it came to rest just one foot away, he couldn’t contain his excitement, pumping his fist in jubilation. A simple tap-in for a par followed, perhaps the easiest shot he encountered throughout the entire day.
As a result of his triumph, a host of esteemed players were left trailing in his wake, their names fading into the background in the face of Clark’s remarkable achievement.
Even the world’s top-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, couldn’t catch up to Clark’s exceptional performance. Notably, Cameron Smith, the reigning British Open champion, also fell short in his pursuit. As for Fowler, this marked his third appearance in the final group of a major tournament, while Clark found himself in the final round of a major for the third time. However, on the previous two occasions, he had completed his rounds early enough to have lunch.
When Clark secured victory, he unleashed a wave of emotions. Overwhelmed with joy, he looked up at the boundless blue sky, tears streaming down his face, and covered his emotions with his cap as he sobbed on the green.
A decade ago, Clark contemplated quitting golf as he grappled with the profound loss of his mother, Lise, to breast cancer. She had been his anchor through thick and thin, providing unwavering support. Throughout the week, Clark carried her memory in his heart, serving as a source of inspiration for various reasons.
Reflecting on the sentimental connection to Los Angeles, Clark revealed, “My mom resided in LA for a few years, and I’ve had encounters with people who approached me, sharing pictures of my mom from her younger days when she lived here in her 20s and early 30s.” Although born in Denver, Clark acknowledged the special atmosphere that enveloped him throughout the week, considering his parents’ marriage at Riviera Country Club and his own ties to the region.
Yearning for his mother’s presence, Clark expressed a heartfelt desire, saying, “All I truly wish for is my mom to be here, so I could embrace her and celebrate together. I know she would be proud of me.”
On the other hand, McIlroy experienced yet another disappointment in his ongoing pursuit to end a nine-year major championship drought.
McIlroy’s performance in the final round followed a pattern typically associated with winning a U.S. Open, with 16 pars and only one bogey. However, Clark’s resilience and McIlroy’s inability to capitalize on opportunities prevented him from securing victory. Despite Clark’s moments of vulnerability during the demanding closing stretch, McIlroy struggled to find fairways and create realistic birdie opportunities.
This echoed a similar scenario at St. Andrews during the previous year’s British Open, where McIlroy hit every green but struggled to sink putts. Consequently, he will continue to face inquiries regarding when he will claim another major title.
McIlroy expressed his unwavering determination, saying, “When I finally do win my next major, it will be an incredibly gratifying achievement. I would endure a hundred Sundays like this if it means getting my hands on another major championship.”
Scheffler, hindered by missed putts early on the back nine, couldn’t rely on assistance from Clark and McIlroy, which ultimately hindered his chances. He finished third with a closing round of 70, following his runner-up finish in the PGA Championship a month earlier.
Fowler, despite setting a U.S. Open record with 23 birdies, experienced a familiar narrative in major championships. Struggling from the outset with three bogeys in the first seven holes, he failed to make up ground and concluded with a disappointing 75.
This memorable day belonged to Clark, who displayed remarkable composure, unwavering self-belief, and an extraordinary short game, including a fairway metal shot that will be etched in his memory for years to come.
With a comfortable two-shot lead already in hand, Clark found himself a yard away from an easy birdie on the par-5 eighth hole. However, his approach shot struck a steep bank of the barranca to the left, making it difficult for him to locate his ball. Undeterred, Clark took a bold swing, but the ball advanced only a few inches into thick grass. Determined, he struck it once again, this time overshooting the green by 70 feet onto a treacherous and fast putting surface. With nerves of steel, he chipped the ball to within 3 feet, salvaging a crucial bogey.
This remarkable up-and-down proved to be the turning point of the tournament, as Clark’s short game continued to impress. On the par-3 ninth hole, he expertly utilized the slope of a bunker’s bank to chip his ball away from the flag, setting himself up for a 7-foot par save. Additionally, on the 11th hole, he executed a precise pitch from a challenging lie left of the green, stopping the ball just 4 feet from the hole for another par.
However, the highlight shot came on the par-5 14th, where Clark unleashed a remarkable fairway metal shot from 282 yards that settled 20 feet from the hole, leading to a two-putt birdie. This extended his lead to three shots with only four holes remaining.
Nevertheless, a stumble occurred on the par-3 15th, where Clark registered his lone bogey of the day. He then found himself in a bunker left of the 16th fairway and expressed frustration by hitting his putter. A missed 7-foot par putt resulted in another dropped shot, reducing his lead to a single stroke. However, Clark demonstrated resilience and skill by getting up-and-down from left of the 17th green to maintain his lead.
The USGA allowed thousands of spectators to surround the fairway short of the 18th green due to the limited number of grandstands, creating a grand stage for Clark’s final moments. Fowler, still seeking his first major title, returned to the 18th green to embrace Clark, conveying the sentiment that his late mother would be immensely proud of him.
Finishing at 10-under 270, Clark not only secured the U.S. Open victory but also earned a substantial prize of $3.6 million, his second significant cash prize in the last six weeks. Furthermore, his triumph propelled him to the second position in the Ryder Cup standings.
Cameron Smith shot a commendable 67 to secure fourth place, while Tommy Fleetwood’s exceptional performance included two rounds of 63, making him the first player in U.S. Open history to achieve such a feat. Fleetwood concluded in a tie for fifth place with Fowler and Min Woo Lee, each carding a final round of 67. It was fitting that the tournament, which began with the lowest 18-hole scores, also featured the lowest scoring average for 72 holes in U.S. Open history, standing at 71.76.
