Wyndham Clark worried about lack of US Open fans: ‘Unfortunate’

As Wyndham Clark goes through the closing stretch at Shinnecock Hills on Sundayhe hopes he already has a hand his second US Open trophy. He’s also hoping to have fans on hand to witness his big moment, maybe even cheer for him.

Saturday night in Shinnecock, that was not the case.

In a strange scene confirmed by GOLF reporters on the ground, a noticeable lack of spectators and a hushed atmosphere greeted Clarke as he secured six shot bullet, 54 holes in the final hours of Saturday’s third round.

In his press conference after Saturday night’s round, Clark called the small number of spectators “unfortunate”, claimed the “flat” crowd made it difficult for him to concentrate and stated his desire that on Sunday night, the stage at 18 would be transformed.

Wyndham Clark on missing US Open fans: ‘People weren’t really there’

Whether you’ve attended major championships in person or watched them on TV at home, you’re used to seeing masses of spectators calling the fairways and greens as they chase the weekend leaders.

But Saturday night at Shinnecock Hills, the crowds were much smaller than usual. Perhaps the late timing of the leaderboards was to blame (Clark left at 3:45pm ET and finished after 8pm ET). The logistical difficulties of getting to and from the course, including dependence on train schedules, may also deserve some credit.

Whatever the cause, anyone watching Saturday’s telecast could see the reality with their own eyes. The photo below of Clark on the 17th green Saturday evening, with a few empty seats in the stands and only a small number of fans standing around her, is proof.

After his round, Clark was asked about the thin crowds following his set, and he responded by calling the situation “unfortunate” and the crowd’s energy “flat.”

“Yeah, it was unfortunate that we were finishing in the dark and people weren’t really there because there were some obviously key, big moments, and it got a little quiet, so yeah, unfortunately,” Clark said Saturday.

He added: “Hopefully tomorrow there will be a bunch of fans and stuff, but for me, it’s still very important, and I still felt the moment. It’s probably a shame that there weren’t all the people there.”

Later in his press conference, another reporter asked Clark if he could remember ever playing in front of such a small crowd in a major.

Clark initially answered “No” before correcting himself with a joke, “I mean, yeah, actually I can when I was 50th or something.”

“But yeah, no, it’s a little unfortunate. I don’t know if we finished so late or what, but it’s okay. I’m still excited to be where I’m at and I’m not focusing on that part.”

Another thing missing from Clark’s march to a six-shot lead Saturday? Screaming. The lack of fans led to a lack of loud applause during big moments in the round.

To make matters worse, the lack of support Clark was receiving meant the taunts of fans rooting against him could be heard by viewers watching on TV.

of Clark complicated reputationstemming largely from his attack on Oakmont’s historic lockers at last year’s US Open, didn’t help.

Clark struggled to stay ‘focused’ because ‘everyone was leaving’

According to Clark, the hushed atmosphere at Shinnecock on Saturday didn’t just bother him, it may have affected his play. Some players wilt under the added pressure of playing in front of thousands of fans. But Clark said Saturday that he usually thrives on it.

“Yeah, I like the energy. I like to make a layup and feel it or hit a good shot and get applause,” Clark said. “So it was unfortunate that it fell a bit flat.”

He said that at times during his final stretch of holes in Round 3, “it felt like everyone was pulling away,” forcing him to work harder to maintain his focus.

“Also, because of that, sometimes it made it hard to stay really focused because it seemed like everyone was leaving and it was like the tournament was over and I had to stay really focused and in the present,” Clark said.

He then found that despite his efforts, his focus faltered towards the end of his round, contributing to an odd pair at 15 and 18.

“I didn’t do my best work,” Clark said. “I made two poor boys come.”

Although Clark has a six-stroke lead, he will have such as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler chasing him in the final round, so he hopes the fans show up in force Sunday at Shinnecock.

“Hopefully there will be people there tomorrow and it’s a great atmosphere.”

The timing of the final round should help. Clark and Scheffler tee off for the final round of the US Open on Sunday at 2:30pm ETan hour and 15 minutes earlier than Clark on Saturday.