GOLF: Wyndham Clark hangs on to win second US Open in 4 years

Wyndham Clark refused to believe Sunday would end without another U.S. Open victory, and that confidence carried him through a tense final round in Southampton, New York.

Wyndham Clark overcame a difficult front nine and carded a 3-over-par 73 to secure his second U.S. Open title in four years at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. His four-round total of 4-under 276 was enough for a one-stroke victory.

“It comes down to just believing that good things are going to happen and that you’re going to make the putt, and fortunately the ones I needed to make, I did,” Clark said.

Clark began the day with a six-shot lead, but the margin steadily narrowed as challengers closed in. Despite the pressure, he never surrendered the lead and held on through multiple momentum swings on the back nine.

The win makes Clark the third player since 2017 to win multiple U.S. Open titles, joining Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. His first major championship came in 2023, when he defeated Rory McIlroy at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Between his two U.S. Open victories, Clark missed the 2025 cut at Oakmont and drew attention after damaging lockers in the players’ area, leading to a temporary ban from the club.

“The first one was kind of just the breakthrough of knowing I can do it, and then this one was a lot of redemption,” Clark said. “Last year was so tough, a terrible year. I left this place in shambles, and it’s amazing what a year can do. I’m leaving here this Sunday as a champion, and I’m just so blessed.”

Runner-up Sam Burns closed with a 67 to finish inside the top 10 at the U.S. Open for the third consecutive year. He narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have forced a playoff.

South Korea’s Tom Kim finished third at 1-under-par after a 70, while J.T. Poston, Keith Mitchell, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shared fourth place at even par.

Clark, who led since Thursday night, briefly appeared in danger of becoming the first U.S. Open leader to lose after holding a five-shot advantage or more. He acknowledged his struggles over the final two rounds but credited his short game and putting for keeping him in contention.

“I played some ugly golf the last two days, but my putter and short game kind of kept me in it,” Clark said.

A decisive moment came on the 16th hole when Clark’s tee shot found the fescue. He recovered and sank a 24-foot birdie putt to extend his lead back to two strokes.

“To make birdie there was honestly a bonus,” Clark said. “I just wanted to make par. That was one of the pivotal points of the tournament.”

Clark then three-putted the 17th for bogey, trimming the lead to one shot, before closing with a steady two-putt par on the 18th, finishing with a 9-inch tap-in to seal the championship.

After an uneven start on the front nine, Clark steadied his round with a birdie on the 10th hole. Momentum briefly shifted again after a bogey on the 13th and a birdie from Burns on the 16th tightened the race.

Kim remained in contention deep into the final round, pulling within two shots with two holes remaining before a bogey on 17 ended his challenge. He still called the week a positive step in his career.

“This is my best finish in a major since the British Open in 2023, so a lot of positives,” Kim said. “I think this is going to give me a big boost for the rest of the season.”

Scottie Scheffler, who was attempting to complete the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday, never mounted a serious charge after a costly three-putt bogey on the 14th hole.

Earlier in the day, Poston and Mitchell posted strong finishes as conditions eased slightly, allowing more scoring opportunities. Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg and Chile’s Joaquín Niemann both shot 66, the lowest rounds of the day. Niemann tied for seventh at 1 over, while Åberg finished tied for 17th at 3 over.

“We’re getting closer and closer,” Niemann said. “That’s the only direction I’ve seen since I started playing golf, that I always get closer to my goals and my dreams. I know it’s one step forward to that.”

Clark’s victory marks his second win of the year, following his triumph at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson last month. -Field Level Media/Reuters