Wyndham Clark (-10) Takes Down the Stars in Hollywood to Win the 123rd U.S. Open
A win for Wyndham! Golf's third major is in the bag, and it's a shocking hero standing tall. A star-studded leaderboard dwindled on Sunday at the 123rd U.S. Open, paving the way for 29-year-old Wyndham Clark (-10) and a moment he had been working towards his entire life. After a record-setting opening round at the U.S. Open where Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele shot 8-under 62s, the course at Los Angeles Country Club tightened up and took down some of the game’s best. Rory McIlroy (-9) and Scottie Scheffler (-7) finished even on Sunday while Clark’s playing partner, Rickie Fowler (-5), tumbled. Star players were littered at the top, but none could catch wind of Wyndham.
Clark’s Conquest Complete
The 29-year-old got his first PGA Tour win just over a month ago, and now he’s ascended to the top of sport. Clark clung to a 1-stroke lead on the 18th before hitting a lag-putt to set up a tap-in for the win. He buried his head in his hat as the tears came, along with hugs from friends and family. Clark lost his mother to breast cancer in 2013. His golf career has been full of ups and downs, and considerations of quitting, but he’s the U.S. Open champ. Clark’s victory as the 32nd-ranked golfer in the world makes him the lowest-ranked winner of the U.S. Open since 2010 (Graeme McDowell).
Rory’s Long Wait Continues
Of all the top-name challengers on Sunday, Rory McIlroy was the one with a real shot coming down the stretch of the back-nine. He scrambled to keep the pressure on Clark with a birdie on 16 and par saves on 17 and 18, but his nine-year wait of “close calls” in majors continues. Despite being the No. 3 golfer in the world, McIlroy’s last major victory came in 2014.
Fowler’s Fall on Sunday
Rickie Fowler held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds of the U.S. Open. He began Sunday in the final group with Clark at 10-under, but six bogeys in the final round led to a frantic fall. He finished the day 5-over and tied for fifth.
U.S. Open Final Leaderboard
1. W. Clark (-10)
2. R. McIlroy (-9)
3. S. Scheffler (-7)
4. C. Smith (-6)
T5. R. Fowler (-5)
T5. T. Fleetwood (-5)
T5. M.W. Lee (-5)
Other Notable Scorecards: J. Rahm (-3), X. Schauffele (-3), D. Johnson (-3), C. Morikawa (-2), P. Cantlay (-2), B. Koepka (-1), M. Fitzpatrick (-1), V. Hovland (E), B. DeChambeau (+1) | Full Leaderboard
Watch: Wyndham Clark Captures 2023 U.S. Open
Next Golf Major: Open Championship (July 20-23)
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