Welcome to GOLF.com’s new “Seen & Heard” video series, where we’ll endeavor to give you an inside look at golf’s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our onsite crew. On deck this week: The 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Let’s go!
ICYMI: More questions than answers, Scottie tries a new Scotty | Inside Day 1 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Homa’s reaction, LACC’s quirks, Reggie Bush’s pick to win | Inside Day 2 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Phil Mickelson arrives, Jon Rahm gets a chipping lesson | Inside Day 3 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Record-setting rounds, Stefan Schauffele’s prediction | Inside Day 4 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Behind the scenes with Rickie, Rory and Wyndham | Inside Day 6 at the U.S. Open
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As the final-round contenders prepared for their afternoon tee times, GOLF’s Sean Zak made a prophetic call as Wyndham Clark warmed up in relative isolation on the putting green.
“People forget [Clark] has actually been one of the 15 best golfers this year,” Zak said. “He could totally fall and live up to everyone’s expectations. Or he could rise, and like, freak us all out. What is Wyndham Clark actually capable of?”
Turns out: an epic, U.S. Open-winning performance.
Tour Confidential: Wyndham Clark’s U.S. Open title, McIlroy’s (latest) close call, LACC’s debut
“I feel like I belong on this stage,” Clark said in the aftermath of his one-shot triumph over Rory McIlroy. “Even two, three years ago when people didn’t know who I was, I felt like I could still play and compete against the best players in the world. And I feel like I’ve been on a great trajectory to get to this place.”
Rickie Fowler, who led or co-led the championship for all three rounds, showcased his enduring sportsmanship yet again, as he congratulated Clark and stuck around to sign autographs in the dark after suffering yet another close call in a major championship.
U.S. Open golf, man. There’s truly nothing like it.
LACC delivered an incredible week, and if you loved what you saw, get excited: The U.S. Open returns to LA in 2039!
You can catch a recap of the the GOLF crew’s highlights from the final round of the U.S. Open in the video above. Thanks for watching! We’ll be back with more Seen & Heard from the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.