Wyndham Clark fends off Rory McIlroy to capture victory in the US Open

Wyndham Clark emerged as the victorious U.S. Open champion after beginning the final round tied for the lead. He showcased his skills by holding off the formidable competition of golf legend Rory McIlroy at the esteemed Los Angeles Country Club. This triumph marked Clark’s first major championship win, a significant milestone in his career.

In the past, Clark had struggled in the U.S. Open, failing to make the cut in the two previous tournaments. In 2021, he finished tied for 75th at the PGA Championship, and in the previous year, he ended up tied for 76th at The Open Championship.

Adding to his accomplishment, Clark secured his second tournament victory of the season. He had previously won the Wells Fargo Championship in May, where he outperformed Xander Schauffele by four strokes. Clark’s only setback came during the 2020 Bermuda Championship, where he lost in a playoff against Brian Gay.

As the final round of the U.S. Open reached its climax, Clark faced a nerve-wracking situation on the 18th hole, leading by only one stroke. However, he managed a commendable approach on his tee shot, reaching the green on his second attempt. With his third stroke, he skillfully positioned the ball just a few feet away from the cup, eventually saving par and paving the way for his celebratory moment. Ultimately, Clark concluded the tournament with a remarkable score of 10-under.

Despite McIlroy’s persistent pursuit throughout the fourth round, a pivotal shot on the 14th hole allowed Clark to create some distance between them. McIlroy encountered difficulty as his shot landed in a rough section of the bunker, resulting in a free drop. Although he had a chance to salvage par, he missed a crucial putt, dropping two strokes behind Clark while also experiencing his first bogey of the tournament. In contrast, Clark’s tee shot on the 14th impressively landed on the green, and he effortlessly birdied the hole, increasing his lead to three strokes as the two leaders approached the final stretch.

Clark encountered a minor setback on the ninth hole earlier in the round but managed to save par, maintaining a one-stroke advantage over McIlroy as they transitioned to the back nine. Although he experienced a bogey on the 15th hole, leaving the door open for McIlroy, he demonstrated resilience. However, McIlroy’s par on the 17th hole ensured that he remained within striking distance, keeping the contest intense. McIlroy nearly birdied on the 18th hole, but ultimately settled for par. Despite registering one birdie and one bogey in the final round, he finished with an impressive score of 9-under for the tournament.

Rickie Fowler kicked off the U.S. Open with a record-setting round of 62. Throughout the tournament, he remained in contention with the leaders. However, four bogeys on the back nine hindered his chances of challenging McIlroy for the second-place finish. Fowler concluded the tournament with a respectable score of 5-under.

Scottie Scheffler also emerged as a strong contender, finishing with a score of 7-under and recording a final-round 70. Although he secured three birdies during the round, it was the three bogeys that ultimately affected his overall performance.

Tommy Fleetwood captivated spectators with his outstanding performance in the final round. He shot an exceptional fourth-round 63, ascending 32 spots on the leaderboard as he patiently waited for the remaining leaders to complete their rounds. Fleetwood previously achieved runner-up positions in both the 2018 U.S. Open and the 2019 Open Championship, showcasing his consistent competitiveness. While he remains without a major championship victory, his recent performance signifies promising prospects for his future endeavors.

Min Woo Lee concluded the U.S. Open with a fourth-round score of 67, marking his second appearance in the tournament. He finished tied with Fleetwood at 5-under, a commendable achievement for the emerging player.

Notable players such as Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Bryson DeChambeau experienced setbacks throughout the tournament, falling behind the leaders. Rahm finished 3-under par, Morikawa with 2-under, Koepka and Fitzpatrick with 1-under, and DeChambeau with 1-over.

The U.S. Open serves as the final major tournament of the golf season, with the upcoming Open Championship set to begin on July 20. As golf enthusiasts eagerly await this prestigious event, it is clear that Wyndham Clark’s remarkable victory has intensified anticipation and excitement within the golfing community.

Reference

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