A six-shot lead should have made Sunday easier for Wyndham Clark. Instead, at Shinnecock Hills, he had to deal with loud and hostile fans, and security had to step in.

Clark started the final round of the U.S. Open with a six-shot lead and was trying to win his second major title. But by the time he reached the back nine, his lead had almost disappeared, and the crowd had become increasingly hostile toward him.

Kevin Van Valkenburg of The Fried Egg posted the moment security removed a fan on X. "Cops are booting people for shouting 'Don't choke Wyndham!' as he sets up to his shot," he wrote. "This young man got bounced for saying it before Clark's tee shot at No. 4."

According to NUCLR GOLF on X, tournament officials removed several spectators from Shinnecock Hills during the round, a move tournament announcers confirmed.

It was because of poor behavior during the final-round group featuring Clark and Scottie Scheffler. Some fans reportedly shouted "Get in the bunker" at Clark and cheered when he hit bad shots, behavior the United States Golf Association did not approve of.

The atmosphere turned hostile early when Clark's tee shot on the par-3 second drew cheers from a crowd firmly behind Scheffler, who was chasing the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday. After the seventh hole, Clark's six-shot lead had been cut to one.

The hostility stems from last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont, where Clark damaged a locker after missing the cut. Fans have not forgotten, with some shouting comments such as, "Let's not break any lockers today, Wyndham."

Clark addressed the year-long backlash two days before any of it unfolded.

Wyndham Clark says he's trying to win fans back

Speaking on Friday, before the heckling reached its peak, Clark didn't shy away from the criticism.

"I've gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so," he said. "I'm hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident. I really feel like I can show people that I'm fun and outgoing, I'm fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment."

Clark's comeback story has not been easy.

He finished the third round on Saturday in near darkness, and very few fans were still around to see him build a six-shot lead.

After the round, Clark said the late finish disappointed him because very few spectators stayed to watch, and the small crowd made the atmosphere feel flat and less exciting.

Clark still had nine holes left to defend his lead, with the gallery's reaction continuing to play out in real time.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav