In a surprising result in the “City of Angels” Wyndham Clark defeated golf royalty Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler to win the U.S. Open championship on the edge of Beverly Hills.
On a wild Sunday in southern California, Clark delivered several clutch saves, a signature shot that gave him control and the steady nerves to hold off McIlroy and become a major champion. Six weeks ago, Clark had won in first PGA event in a tournament played at Quail Hollow. Other than that breakthrough, his previous best was a 75th place tie. This weekend’s opportunity represented only his seventh start in a major (Masters, U.S. Open, PGA, and British Open).
The final act was two putts from 60 feet on the 18th hole at Los Angeles Country Club, and the 29-year-old Clark pumped his fist when it settled a foot away. He tapped that in for a par, maybe the easiest shot he had all day.
One of Clark’s closest competitors was Rickie Fowler, who connected on 23 birdies to set a new U.S. Open record, but shot 75 on Sunday, including three bogeys over the first seven holes. set a U.S. Open record with 23 birdies, but just like so many other majors when he had a chance, he was in reverse before he ever got going – three bogeys in the opening seven holes. He never made up the ground and shot 75.
The winning prize for Clark was $3.6 million, with a final score of 10-under 270 moving him to second in the Ryder Cup standings.
Photo credit – NationalClubGolfer.com / Los Angeles, CA
