LOS ANGELES ― Wyndham Clark crashed the party at the U.S. Open on Sunday, holding off Rory McIlroy and outclassing Rickie Fowler while winning his first major championship.
Instead of one of golf’s big names celebrating on the 18th green among roaring fans, it was the relative no-name Clark enjoying the moment at Los Angeles Country Club.
Clark, 29, finished the tournament at 10-under, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and five strokes ahead of Fowler. He held on despite making bogey at holes No. 15 and No. 16 and watching a a three-stroke lead over McIlroy get whittled to one shot.
He held on for victory thanks to pars at No. 17 and No. 18 for an even-par 70 in the final round, during which he understood many spectators were rooting for Fowler, a Southern California native.
“Obviously I put my own pressure on myself, but yeah, I guess it’s nice being the underdog,” Clark said after the final round. “It was great walking by hearing a lot of people chant for Rickie’s name because it kind of fueled the fire underneath me that I could do it.”
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Clark, who turned pro in 2017, had previously competed in six major championships and finished no better than tied for 75th. He won his first PGA Tour event in May at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Rickie Fowler falls off pace
Fowler, seeking his first major championship, started the day tied for the lead with Clark at 10-under. But he made three bogeys over the first seven holes and never got on track.
“I just didn’t have it today,” Fowler said. “Iron play was very below average and didn’t make anything. That’s a big thing in majors, especially on a Sunday. Making putts and kind of keeping it fairly stress-free.”
Rory McIlroy cannot end major drought
McIlroy, trying to end his almost nine-year drought since winning his last major championship, stalked Clark for much of the day couldn’t catch him with steady golf. He made one birdie and one bogey during his round of even-70.
“I obviously never give up.,” McIlroy said. “And I’m getting closer. The more I keep putting myself in these positions, sooner or later it’s going to happen for me.”
Who is Wyndham Clark?
With the victory, Clark earned $3.6 million and some much-deserved name recognition.
Clark, who grew up in Colorado, is the son of a former professional tennis player. His mother died of breast cancer in 2013 when he was attending Oklahoma State, and over the years he has talked about how she wanted him to play for a bigger purpose and something greater than himself.
“She’d be crying tears of joy,” Clark said when asked what his mom would say after he won. “… She called me ‘Winner’ when I was little, so she would just say, ‘I love you, Winner.'”
