Wyndham Clark responds to unfortunate U.S. Open | Golf News

Wyndham Clark made his approach down the 18th fairway to a near-deserted grandstand at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Clark carded an even-par 70 in the third spherical, holding firm at the top of the leaderboard and pushing his championship whole to seven-under par. He completed one-over on the entrance 9 and one-under on the back 9, highlighted by an eagle on the par-five sixteenth gap.

“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,” said Clark.

“Hopefully tomorrow there’ll be 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.”

The USGA addressed the sparse attendance in Southampton, declaring that 40% of its followers journey by prepare via the LIRR to and from New York City, a two-hour commute, with the last direct service departing at 7:30 pm.

With Clark main the sector heading into Sunday, he’s keen for a livelier environment and acknowledged that a roaring crowd brings out the best in him.

“I love the energy,” said Clark. “I love making a big putt and feeling that or hitting a good shot and getting the claps. So it was unfortunate it got a little flat. 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.

“I did not do my best job; I made sort of two poor bogeys coming in. Hopefully there’s people there tomorrow and it is a great environment.”

As dusk settled in, Clark and his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick approached the 18th green, with Clark taking a moment to sign autographs for the remaining fans gathered nearby.

“I might say I’m undoubtedly a lot more assured and consider I can do it,” Clark remarked.

“I’d say in ’23 there was still doubts. Not essentially doubts, but I hadn’t executed it, so there was a lot of unknown. Now that I’ve executed it, I do know I can do it, and I can do it again.

“So I’ll definitely lean on that experience and other experiences from when I’ve won that, hey, I can break through and do this again.”