Wyndham Clark held off nerves, hecklers and a challenge from Sam Burns to win the 2026 US Open on Sunday.
Clark, who won his first major at the 2023 US Open, fired a final-round three-over-par 73 for a 72-hole total of four-under 276, securing a one-stroke victory over compatriot Sam Burns at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
The 32-year-old Denver, Colorado, native barely secured a wire-to-wire victory, having led by six strokes in the first three rounds before Burns chipped away at Clark’s lead.
He struggled on the front nine before grinding it out on the back nine.
The American golfer sank a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-five 16th after finding deep rough off the tee, then overcame a bogey at 17 and made a two-putt par from 52 feet at 18 to secure the triumph.
After the tournament, Clark called his second major win “surreal” and “amazing”.
Clark gets Father’s Day hug
Clark became only the ninth wire-to-wire US Open winner and the first since Germany’s Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst in 2014.
He celebrated Father’s Day with a hug from his dad, Randall, who flew in on Sunday to surprise him.
The 32-year-old admitted that the moment with his dad was a “shock” because his father is not fond of joining his entourage to watch him play in golf events.
“My dad hasn’t been to many events. For him to be here in person is amazing,” said Clark, who captured the top prize of $4.5 million from a $22.5m purse – but the effort had greater meaning as well.
The world number eight golfer further noted that the moment with his father helped him erase the bad feelings from smashing a locker at Oakmont after missing the cut at last year’s US Open.
Clark also withstood taunts from New York fans, who were merciless in heckling him, trying to provoke memories of his blunder at Oakmont.
The American said he repeatedly apologised for damaging the locker and called it his lowest point.
“It was a really tough two, three days for me. I was in a dark place, didn’t really go outside much,” Clark added.
“I just felt a lot of my career, world ranking, reputation, everything, just dwindling. That’s a terrible feeling.
“At that moment, I definitely didn’t think I’d be here this year doing this.”
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Burns goes close to victory
While Clark struggled on the front nine, Burns made an early charge, holing out birdies on four of the first eight holes and pulling within one stroke.
However, Clark made decisive plays on the last three holes to keep his lead intact.
Burns, who signed for a 67 for a three-under 277 total, stayed within one after a birdie at the par-five 16th but dropped to his knees after missing a 16-foot birdie putt at 18.
South Korean Tom Kim finished third on 279 after a final-round 70, while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler shot a 71 to share fourth on 280 with fellow Americans Keith Mitchell and JT Poston.
With the Masters, PGA Championship and US Open concluded for the year, the greens at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, will challenge these world-class golfers next as the club hosts The Open Championship scheduled for July 16-19.
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