At the end of a demanding major championship round, every golfer expects the biggest moments to come with the biggest reactions. For Wyndham Clark, however, his latest U.S. Open charge came with a feeling that was slightly different from what he imagined.
Despite putting himself in a position to make history, Clark noticed something unusual during the final holes at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The absence of huge crowds is what drew the PGA Tour star’s attention. The quiet atmosphere became one of the main talking points after he finished the third round with a commanding lead.
“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,” Clark said in the post-round press conference. However, he remained hopeful that more fans would show up for the final round.
Wyndham Clark on the crowds (or lack of) down the stretch: "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.… pic.twitter.com/Cdeczs0QMG
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) June 21, 2026
He said, “Hopefully tomorrow there’s 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 comments came after Clark put himself in a strong position to capture another victory. He currently leads the 2026 U.S. Open at 7-under par after 54 holes.
The 32-year-old’s tournament began with a dominant opening round of 6-under-par, followed by a steady 1-under second round. In the third round, Clark added an eagle to extend his advantage and move further ahead of Scottie Scheffler, Samuel Stevens, and Sahith Theegala, who are all six strokes behind at 1-under-par.
While Clark’s criticism of the lack of crowd may seem aggressive, he isn’t wrong. The United States Golf Association did not sell as many tickets as at previous U.S. Opens, including the 2018 championship. The decision was intentional, as organizers wanted to create a more enjoyable experience for fans on the grounds while also reducing the logistical issues caused by the venue’s location and limited road access.
Logan Whitton/USGA
The New York Knicks’ NBA championship parade, along with a few FIFA World Cup games taking place in New York, may also have played a role in the lack of fans. Even the iconic 18th hole at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club has faced challenges, with reserved spectator stands behind the greens remaining mostly empty through the first three rounds.
Clark’s comments come as he prepares to win his second major championship, which would also be his second U.S. Open title, with the first coming in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club. A win on Sunday could also mean a lot for Clark following a controversial chapter last year when he damaged the Oakmont Country Club’s locker room during the previous tournament.
However, he paid for all the damages, made a meaningful contribution to a charity selected by the board, and completed counseling and anger management sessions as part of the resolution. Now, with another major victory within reach, Clark would love to win it in front of a crowd that matches the scale of the moment.