Sports

US Open Villain Wyndham Clark Prepped For Hostility In New York By Antagonizing Canadians

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iStockphoto / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Wyndham Clark celebrates a US Open win.


Wydham Clark won the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, much to the dismay of those in attendance. The New York crowd was raucous. It did not want to see him hoist the trophy.

Patrons actively rooted for Clark’s downfall. He welcomed his role as villain. The golfer says he used the negativity as fuel for victory. He’d also prepared himself for the hostility a week prior.

Clark played in the RBC Canadian Open just days before his US Open win. He intentionally riled up the fans to create an unfriendly atmosphere.

It paid off. While he wouldn’t win in his stay north of the border, he used the experience to quiet his haters in New York.

Wyndham Clark quieted the crowd.

The golfer was heckled mercilessly in Southampton. He was enemy No. 1 being paired with fan favorite Scottie Scheffler in the final round.

The scene was ugly.

Fans cheered bad shots. “Don’t choke, Wyndham,” chants echoed throughout the course. Many believed it crossed the line.

New York Police intervened to eject a number of hecklers on Sunday. Things got so bad that Clark’s sports psychologist walked off the course. She couldn’t endure the hate.

Clark handled it with class. He understood the response. Fans wanted to see Scheffler complete the Grand Slam. He denied them of that opportunity.

Clark emerged victorious despite the crowd. After the win, he opened up on the environment.

Hecklers fueled the US Open champ.

Clark used his haters as motivation. He made it his goal to quiet the crowd at Shinnecock Hills.

It’s something he’s grown accustomed to doing of late. Following his outburst at last year’s US Open, he’s received negative attention. His temper has caused fans to turn against him.

With that said, he’s fully embraced his role as villain. Just last week in Canada, he intentionally antagonized attendees.

Wyndham Clark donned a US Hockey jersey at the RBC Canadian Open. It landed criticism from patrons following the US’s gold medal triumph over Canada in the Winter Olympics.

Clark embraced the negative reaction. He then sank a birdie putt to quiet the crowd while sporting the top.

The golfer says he used that moment as preparation to do the same at the US Open. It worked to perfection as he banked a $4.5 million payday in New York.