‘Mistake I deeply regret’: Pro apologizes for damaging property at U.S. Open

Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark has apologized for damaging property in one of golf’s most historic locker rooms during last week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Clark, 31, bogeyed the final hole of his second round on Friday, missing the cut by a stroke. Clark reportedly damaged two lockers afterwards, news that was first reported by Tron Carter of No Laying Up and later confirmed by GOLF.com.

Clark didn’t speak to the media after his round or early this week at the Travelers Championship, but he was asked about the locker-room incident following his six-under 64 on Thursday at TPC River Highlands.

“I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows,” Clark said. “I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened.

“But I’d also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of this year and things that come up,” he continued. “I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedExCup. So I’m starting to move on and focus on those things.”

In the days following the damage, several Oakmont members, proud of their club’s history and storied locker rooms, were deeply disappointed with the news.

“Whoever did it, I don’t know who the f— they think they are,” one longtime member told GOLF.com, adding, “I’d be tempted to show up at his next tournament and heckle him on the tee. You know, something like, ‘Hey, buddy, how about I come to your house and kick in the shower doors?’”

This wasn’t the first time this season Clark apologized for his on-course actions. At the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C., he threw a club against a sponsor sign behind a tee.

“I promise to better the way I handle my frustrations on the course going forward, and hope you all can forgive me in due time,” Clark wrote at the time.

On the course, Clark has seen his World Ranking drop to 27th, the lowest it’s been since before he won the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. He has one top-10 in 16 tournaments this season and hasn’t finished better than 50th in his last six starts. He’s also struggled in the majors since his win at LACC. In the eight since, he’s missed four cuts and has failed to register a finish in the top 30.

Clark’s 64 Thursday was one of the lowest scores of the morning rounds. He’ll tee off alongside Matthieu Pavon at 12:10 p.m. ET on Friday for the second round of the Travelers.