American Wyndham Clark plays dream golf in LA
The big boys took a break from winning the Majors at the Los Angeles Country Club in America at the weekend. Instead a 29-year old from Denver played the tournament of his dreams to scoop his first US Open title and secure his name on the historical piece of silverware. His name is Wyndham Clark and he won the 123rd US Open at the Los Angeles CC North Course in California with a score of 10-under par, just one ahead of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.
In May this year Wyndham Clark won his first PGA event, the Wells Fargo Championship. This victory was obviously the beginning of something special. “Play big!” is what his mother, who sadly died in 2013 from breast cancer, used to advise him. Her son can now appreciate all that his dear mother had desired for him.
Not only that but golf and college friends like American Rickie Fowler even helped him on his way. They actually played together on Saturday and Sunday.
The halfway cut came at 2-over par which left multi-Major winners like Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth together with twelve others just one shot too many to play at the weekend. Sixty-five players made the cut.
Who is in the running on Sunday?
During the final round on Sunday there were three potential winners: Wyndham Clark on 10-under; Rickie Fowler on 10-under and Rory McIlroy on 9-under. World Number One from America, Scottie Scheffler, was also in the running.
Clark and McIlroy played the first nine in one under par leaving Fowler and Scheffler just out of reach. Yet with nine holes to be played anything could happen. Wyndham Clark was surrounded by players with worldwide experience. Could the player from Denver hold his nerve on Sunday?
The player from Northern Ireland had chances for birdies at the 10th and 13th holes but the four-times Major winner could not close the gap with Clark.
Alas, Rickie Fowler had a disappointing final day after leading on the first day with a glorious 62. His score is the lowest ever in the US Open. Fellow American Xander Schauffele came in with a 62 just 20 minutes later which means they both are now mentioned in the glorious history books. Alas, Fowler made a 75 (+5) on Sunday to slip down the leaderboard for a share of 5th place.
The 14th hole was costly for McIlroy as he made a bogey. A few minutes later Clark, who was playing in the final group, made a simple birdie at the par-5, 612-yard hole. It was his fourth birdie of the day and meant that he had a three-stroke lead over McIlroy. Yet the 15th and 16th holes provided some extra stress as Clark made bogeys here. The final day in a Major was always going to be filled with anticipation for the newcomers. Could Wyndham Clark hang on to his lead?
Cool, calm and collected
The 17th hole delivered another challenge for Clark but the player from Denver kept his cool and made an impressive par on the last-but-one-hole. On the 18th he made two putts from around twenty yards to seize the 123rd US Open Championship, his first ever Major title, leaving Rory McIlroy in second place one stroke behind.
Scottie Scheffler finished in third place with Australia’s Cameron Smith as fourth. Englishman Tommy Fleetwood had a great tournament at the Los Angeles Country Club too. He equalled the US Open’s final day best round with a score of 63 which included four birdies and two birdies, but, alas a double bogey at the 16th. The player from Southport finished in a tie for 5th with Rickie Fowler and Min Woo Lee (Australia).
The defending US Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick from South Yorkshire, England finished in a tie for 17th which included an ace at the par-3, 115 yard 15th hole on Friday. He shot a level par round of 70 which was sadly only blemished by a double bogey at the 17th.
Well, Wyndham Clark, we are delighted to see you crowned as the 2023 US Open Champion and wish you many successful years of golf ahead of you!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The proud winner of the 2023 US Open, Wyndham Clark. BELOW: Rory McIlroy (left) and Wyndham Clark.