Wyndham Clark survived a final-round scare to win his second US Open title in four years with a one-shot wire-to-wire victory at Shinnecock Hills.
The 2023 champion successfully avoided conceding the biggest 54-hole lead in the event’s history after starting the day with a six-stroke advantage.
After dominating over three days the 32-year-old’s aura quickly disappeared but, while he may not have been the most popular winner, having to endure catcalls from the gallery, his play over the week deserved it.
American Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns ran him close, getting within a shot after a round of 67, but when his birdie putt at the last grazed the hole, it left his rival needing to par his way home for victory.
Holing an unlikely 24-foot birdie putt from off the back of the 16th green should have given him a comfortable cushion, but he three-putted the next to drop back to four under.
Television cameras immediately cut to Burns in the players’ clubhouse, furiously typing on his phone and seemingly not paying attention to the unfolding drama.
He was right to not concern himself as Clark parred the last to be surprised by his dad Randall, who had flown in overnight to be with his son on Father’s Day, at the back of the green.
Clark admitted some of the adverse reaction towards him from the New York crowd was “self-deserved” but felt his second US Open win in four years provided him with redemption.
Twelve months ago the American caused controversy when he missed the cut at Oakmont, damaged a locker in the historic clubhouse in a fit of pique and was subsequently banned by the club.
A belated apology was made and he paid for the damage. Oakmont also requested he made a “meaningful contribution to a charity of the board’s choosing” and requested he underwent anger management.
“New York really didn’t really like me. I love you guys. Some of it is self-deserved – I’m still sorry for last year,” said Clark after a round of 73 saw him beat Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns by a shot.
“I get it, they root for Scottie. Grand Slams only happen a few times. He’s going to get it, he’s the best player in the world. But today is my day.
“The first one (in 2023) was a breakthrough knowing I could do it. This one was redemption.”
Wyndham Clark embraces his caddie on the 18th green
Scottie Scheffler’s bid for a career grand slam never got going as he started the day one under in the final group alongside Clark but was unable to generate any momentum on his way to a one-over 71 to tie for fourth.
Rory McIlroy blamed “the wheels coming off” twice on the back nine for his disappointing showing.
A final-round 73, in which he under-performed on the front nine with four bogeys, saw the Northern Irishman finish six over par and not even close to the top 10.
But the world number two knew he threw away his chance of a second US Open title on Friday and Saturday.
In the second round he was within touching distance of leader Wyndham Clark after an outward nine of 33, but three successive bogeys after the turn saw him come home in 38.
Saturday was worse as an outward 33 had kept him within four of the top, but five bogeys coming home, including at the 10th and 12th again, sent him spiralling out of contention.
“Looking back in the entire week, I rue the back nine yesterday. I was two under par for the tournament after nine and then the wheels came off,” said the Masters champion.
“I played a really bad back nine and I shot myself out of the tournament then. Obviously it was really disappointing coming away from the course last night.
“Friday too, I was three over for the back nine. I’ll rue both of those nines Friday and Saturday, but especially yesterday as I got myself right back in the tournament with the way I played the front nine and then just let it go.
“You try to come out and put a good one out there and I felt I maybe had a tiny chance, but I got off to a bad start.
“I guess it was a week of what could have been, which is pretty frustrating, but I’ll dust myself off and go again.”
McIlroy’s hopes of salvaging something in the fourth round evaporated over the space of his first five holes after three bogeys.
Ironically, after his troubles on the previous two days, he birdied 10 and 11, which were playing easier with the wind direction, but two bogeys and one further birdie saw him sign for a 73.