The abhorrent fan behavior we all witnessed at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills wasn’t only reserved for Wyndham Clark on Sunday. At least one fan attending the major championship on Long Island, New York, let Rory McIlroy have it as well, but the six-time major champion got the last laugh.
After McIlroy hit a tee shot during Saturday’s third round, a fan in the first row of the gallery started screaming, “Bunker, get in the bunker!” Of course, the fan had his phone in his hand to film the entire thing in hopes of going viral.
He accomplished the mission, but not in the style he was hoping for.
After watching playing partner Maverick McNealy hit his tee shot on the hole, McIlroy began walking toward the fairway, but with his eyes locked on the fan. Just when it looked as if he was just going to let the fan off with an intense stare, he hit him with a hand motion indicating he had a gut.
Shouting something ridiculous at a professional golfer who is standing 10 yards away from you is absurd behavior, but in the age of social media, it’s become the norm. It was also the overarching theme for this year’s U.S. Open.
The fans in New York created the most hostile environment in recent memory for Clark during his final round on Sunday.
From the moment he began his final round until he tapped in the tournament-clinching par putt on the 72nd hole as the sun set on Shinnecock, Clark took a verbal beating from the fans.
Shouts for his ball to find a bunker the moment he made contact, cheers when an approach shot rolled off the putting surface, and minor roars after each of his five bogeys during the final round.
It was unlike anything we’ve seen at a major championship, especially considering Clark is an American and former U.S. Open winner, who was trying to win his national open.
Just as McIlroy got the last laugh, Clark did as well, but it was a five-hour-long war of attrition.
