Wyndham Clark criticizes US Open crowd as ‘disgusting’ abuse aimed at runaway leader before shot

Wyndham Clark has made Shinnecock Hills look like a cakewalk to take a dominant six-shot lead into Sunday.

After making headlines for all the wrong reasons in last year’s U.S. Open after damaging a locker at Oakmont in a fit of rage, he is on the brink of a second title.

Getty

The 32-year-old is hoping to put his past behind him and win back the scores of fans he lost.

It is proving to be a difficult battle and golf journalist Brendan Porath shared an example of some of the banter flying his way from the galleries.

“The gallery at 11 is pretty rowdy here late in the day,“ he wrote on X. “‘Bad day to be a locker, Wyndham!’, was shouted very loud and clearly as he walked into the bunker to play his shot.”

A fan who was also tailing Clark’s group commented to call out the fan.

“It was disgusting. Unbecoming stuff from the Long Island crowd,” he replied.

Fan behaviour has been a hot topic after Rory McIlroy was subjected to vile taunts at the Ryder Cup, which took place not 60 miles from Shinecock at Bethpage Black.

His wife Erica Stoll was hit by a beer and there was a near-unanimous verdict that events had got out of hand.

In this week’s contest, McIlroy’s ball appeared to be picked up by a fan on the 4th on Thursday — a massive no-no — but the USPGA confirmed that she had stopped just in time.

Unfortunately for Clark, his locker incident will live long in the memory and there will likely be a few comments aimed his way on Sunday.

The best way to silence his critics will be to win and, at seven under, it would take a massive capitulation with his nearest rivals six back.

Getty

Noise was not an issue on the 18th green during Saturday’s round as the runaway leader was greeted by an almost empty grandstand.

“It was unfortunate it got a little flat,” he admitted. “Sometimes it made it tough to stay really focused because it seemed like everyone was leaving.”

Sometimes fans want to make a beeline for the exits and Clark teed off late, but it is unlikely that McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler would have been greeted by a similar sight if in contention.

The American finished with a bogey and admits he felt he should be further out in front.

“If I’m being honest, I feel like my lead should be a little more,” Clark told Sky Sports. “I’m frustrated about the 18th [bogey] and the bogey on the 15th.

“If you told me at the beginning of the week I’d be taking a six shot lead heading into Sunday, I would obviously take it.”

Getty

Sheffler — chasing a career Grand Slam — is in a group of four players chasing Clark and ready to pounce on any slip-ups.

“We’ve been battling hard for a few days, and I did a good job of keeping myself in the tournament,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ll need a really nice round if I’m going to try and catch Wyndham.”

Stay up to date on all things golf across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.