Heading into Sunday at the U.S. Open, Wyndham Clark looks set to repeat his heroics from 2023. However, a moment on the 17th hole put him under the spotlight.

NUCLR GOLF shared a video of the incident on X, which quickly sparked debate among fans. Many questioned whether Wyndham Clark gained an unfair advantage on the 17th hole while moving into the lead at the U.S. Open.

The post addressed the issue directly, saying: "Fans are complaining that Wyndham Clark was able to move grass before taking his drop on the 17th hole, which gave him a better lie. Do you think it was fair?"

After his tee shot on the tough par-3 hole went far left, Clark got a free drop because a TV camera platform was blocking his path to the green.

As per the rules listed on the USGA website, the nearest point of relief is used in three scenarios where there might be interference: the presence of an immovable obstruction, an abnormal ground condition, or a wrong putting green (any putting green on the course other than the putting green of the hole being played). It means that Clark played within the confines of the rules.

The moment became even more crucial when Clark used the drop to hit his next shot onto the green before saving par with an up-and-down. 

It's not the first time that Clark has come under the spotlight for using relief. At the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2025, his tee shot on the par-4 third hole landed in the fairway, eventually returning to his pitch mark. Clark was entitled to free relief, yet it became a source of controversy.

Regardless, beyond the controversy through Saturday's round, Clark made several important par putts when he got into trouble, preventing the other players from gaining ground on him. 

His third round of even-par 70 built on a week where he led from start to finish. Clark opened the tournament in front, stayed there through round two, and carried a six-shot lead into Sunday's final round after Saturday's play.

What Fans Think Of The Incident

Paige Spiranac was among the golf fans who responded to the incident. Responding to the post, she said, "I’m staying out of this one lol." Spiranac had a controversial moment earlier in June at The Internet Invitational, and admitted she felt embarrased about not knowing a certain golf rule.

Another fan simply wanted to understand the ruling. "What’s the ruling? If it’s legal, then it’s legit. If it’s not, then… b******. Pretty straightforward." The entire time Clark was making the drop, there was a USGA official monitoring his process.

But that wasn't enough for some fans, as they questioned technicalities. "Isn’t the drop supposed to be from the knee? He holds the ball at his knee then lowers to his shin before release. What’s that?"

Some of it was chalked up to the camera angle, and the USGA's presence there made it a legal drop, but that's not the only problem fans had, as they spoke about the practical aspects of the rule.

One asked, "I think the pga needs to fix the drop rule. This wouldn’t fly at the local muni. Maybe the rules officials need to drop on the tour." At the same time, another added, "The problem is that every regular golfer can’t use these rules when we play so why should the best in the world get these breaks."

Sunday's final round will decide whether the drop on the 17th hole remains a big topic of discussion or becomes just a small part of Clark's tournament story.

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar