Wyndham Clark faced a daunting task as he defended his title at the 2026 U.S. Open held at Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, N.Y. With a six-shot lead on Sunday, Clark entered the final round with a history that reminded fans of Greg Norman’s infamous loss at Augusta in ’96. Yet, history suggested Clark’s lead was secure.
On Sunday, Clark was at 7-under, with the closest competitors at 1-under. The possibility of his victory being straightforward was uncertain. Facing a determined competitor in Sam Burns and the pressures from the crowd, Clark managed a final-round 73 to secure a one-shot win over Burns.
Despite the tension, Clark’s victory was not easily won. Burns posted an impressive final-round 67, reaching 3-under. Clark responded with a critical birdie on the 16th hole, pushing his lead back to two shots. Fans in the Hamptons heckled, but Clark persevered, winning despite challenges and previous controversies.
“It sucks being the underdog or getting rooted against, but I can pull through,” Clark remarked on the reactions from fans.
The conditions on Thursday played a significant role in Clark’s performance. Initially believing it to be the hardest draw, Clark was surprised by favorable weather conditions. This enabled him to score an opening 64, which remained the lowest round of the tournament.
Sunday’s final round was tense, with Scottie Scheffler in contention for his career Grand Slam alongside Clark. Yet, Burns replaced Scheffler as the main challenger, recovering from bogeys and ultimately finishing second behind Clark.
Clark’s ability to save par numerous times demonstrated his resilience. Despite ranking only 62nd in PGA Tour’s strokes gained putting, at Shinnecock, his putting ranked fourth.
Reflecting on his victory, Clark acknowledged his evolving approach and reduced anger from past struggles. “I’m not getting angry as much as I used to,” Clark shared, citing these changes as beneficial.
Since 2023, Clark has accumulated five wins, trailing only behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in this period. His achievements rank him alongside other notable players like Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka.