As Wyndham Clark comes through the closing stretch at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday, he hopes to already have one hand on his second U.S. Open trophy. He also hopes that there are fans present to witness his moment of greatness, maybe even cheer for him.
On Saturday evening at Shinnecock, that was not the case.
In a bizarre scene confirmed by GOLF reporters on-site, a distinct lack of spectators and a muted atmosphere greeted Clark as he secured his six-shot, 54-hole lead in the waning hours of Saturday’s third round.
In his post-round press conference Saturday evening, Clark called the small number of spectators “unfortunate,” claimed the “flat” crowd made it hard for him to focus and announced his wish that come Sunday evening, the scene at 18 is transformed.
Wyndham Clark on missing U.S. Open fans: ‘People weren’t really out there’
Whether you have attended major championships in person or watched them on TV at home, you’re used to seeing a mass of spectators ringing the fairways and greens while following the leaders on the weekend.
But on Saturday evening at Shinnecock Hills, the crowds were far more sparse than usual. Maybe the leaders’ late tee times were to blame (Clark teed off at 3:45 p.m. ET and finished after 8 p.m. ET). The logistical difficulties of getting to and from the course, including the dependence on train schedules, may also deserve some credit.
Whatever the cause, anyone watching the Saturday TV broadcast could see the reality with their own eyes. The below photo of Clark on the 17th green Saturday evening, with some empty seats in the grandstands and only a small number of fans standing next to it, is proof.
After his round, Clark was asked about the sparse crowds following his group, and he responded by calling the situation “unfortunate” and the crowd energy “flat.”
“Yeah, it was kind of unfortunate that we’re finishing in the dark and people weren’t really out there because there were some obviously key, big moments, and it did kind of get a little flat, so yeah, unfortunately,” Clark said on Saturday.
He added: “Hopefully tomorrow there’s a bunch of fans and stuff, but for me, it’s still really important, and I still felt the moment. It’s just maybe unfortunate that there weren’t all the people there.”
Later in his press conference, another reporter asked Clark if he could remember ever playing in front of such a small number of spectators at a major.
Clark first answered “No” before correcting himself with a joke, “I mean, yeah, actually I can when I was in, like, 50th place or something.”
“But yeah, no, it’s a little unfortunate. I don’t know if it’s because we finished so late or what, but it’s okay. I am still excited to be where I’m at, and I’m not really focusing on that part.”
Another thing missing from Clark’s march to a six-shot lead on Saturday? Roars. The lack of fans led to a lack of thunderous applause during big moments in the round.
Making matters worse, the lack of support Clark was receiving made the jeers of fans rooting against him audible to viewers watching on TV.
Clark’s complicated reputation, stemming largely from his attack on Oakmont’s historic lockers at last year’s U.S. Open, didn’t help.
Clark struggled to stay ‘focused’ because ‘everyone was leaving’
According to Clark, the muted atmosphere at Shinnecock on Saturday didn’t just bother him, it also may have impacted his game. Some players wilt under the added pressure of playing in front of thousands of fans. But Clark said on Saturday that he typically thrives off it.
“Yeah, I love the energy. I love making a big putt and feeling that or hitting a good shot and getting the claps,” Clark said. “So it was unfortunate it got a little flat.”
He said that at times during his final stretch of holes in Round 3, “it seemed like everyone was leaving,” forcing him work harder to maintain his focus.
“Also, because of that, sometimes it made it tough to stay really focused because it seemed like everyone was leaving, and it was like the tournament was over, and I had to keep myself really focused and in the present,” Clark said.
He then revealed that despite his efforts, his focus did waver toward the end of his round, contributing to a pair of late bogeys at 15 and 18.
“I didn’t do my best job,” Clark said. “I made kind of two poor bogeys coming in.”
Though Clark has a six-shot lead, he’ll have the likes of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler chasing him down in the final round, so he’s hoping the fans show up in force on Sunday at Shinnecock.
“Hopefully there’s people there tomorrow and it’s a great atmosphere.”
The timing of the final round should help. Clark and Scheffler tee off for the final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, one hour and 15 minutes earlier than Clark teed off Saturday.
