Clark reacts to backlash over trashing U.S. Open | Golf News

It’s been a yr since Wyndham Clark’s infamous locker room episode at Oakmont Country Club, but the shadow continues to linger, even as he instructions the lead heading into the weekend with a shot at this yr’s championship.

Clark has been the only real golfer succesful of mastering Shinnecock Hills across both opening rounds of this yr’s U.S. Open, adapting skillfully to unpredictable climate patterns that made his Thursday afternoon beginning time advantageous and carding six-under par to launch the match.

Friday proved more difficult, as he wrapped up his darkness-interrupted first spherical before immediately returning to the course for his second, posting one-under par for the day and seven-under total heading into the weekend, marking the best two-day efficiency ever recorded at a Shinnecock-hosted U.S. Open.

Yet, the Oakmont episode remained top of thoughts following the spherical, with Clark stating: “Yeah, I’ve gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so,” Clark said. “The thing that’s unfortunate is that’s not who I am, what happened last year. I’m hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident.

“You know, I actually really feel like I can show people that I’m enjoyable and outgoing, I’m fierce, aggressive, love the sport, respect the sport, and I just had a dangerous second. Hopefully, I can win those people back.”

The 32-year-old endured significant public criticism during last year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont when a photograph emerged showing a damaged locker inside the storied club, with the destruction linked to Clark, who narrowly missed the cut by a single stroke.

While Clark believes he has grown both personally and professionally over the past year, the 2023 U.S. Open champion winner acknowledged that the emotional journey is an ongoing process. “Yeah, I positively really feel like I’m in a better place. Hopefully a great weekend and great relaxation of the yr, perhaps I’ll gain all those followers back.”

“I used to be on top of the world in my sport at least when I received the U.S. Open and then had some good years,” Clark said. “Then next factor , I’m apologizing for breaking a locker the yr later.

“I just think with the mental game there’s ebbs and flows. If you think of it as climbing Everest, sometimes you go up, sometimes you have to go down to go back up.

“I believe that’s sort of what occurs both on the golf course and off the golf course. Right now I’m trending back up, which is sweet. So, yeah, I sort of look at it that means.”