American golfer Wyndham Clark claimed his first Major victory at the US Open, triumphing over his competitor Rory McIlroy at the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club. The win not only secured Clark a coveted title but also a substantial prize money of $3.6 million (£2.8 million).
Entering the final round as a co-leader, Clark showcased his exceptional skills when it mattered most, ultimately winning by a single shot. The 29-year-old golfer had never previously contended at a Major, making his achievement all the more impressive. His outstanding performance in California followed his earlier triumph at the Wells Fargo Championship in May, where he clinched his first PGA Tour event. Despite some late scares during the final round, Clark managed to maintain his composure and finish with a par, etching his name among an illustrious list of winners while simultaneously transforming his life with the substantial prize money.
McIlroy, who endured yet another close miss, secured the runner-up position and took home $2.1 million (£1.6 million). Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, who finished in third place, also earned a significant seven-figure sum of $1.4 million (£1.09 million). Englishman Tommy Fleetwood’s impressive final round 63, falling just one shot short of equaling a historic record, resulted in a tie for fifth place.
Coinciding with Father’s Day in the United States, the final day of the US Open held a special meaning for Clark. Although his mother, who introduced him to the sport, had passed away from breast cancer, Clark felt her presence and paid tribute to her following his victory. Reflecting on the impact of his late mother’s influence, he said, “I just feel like my mom was watching over me today. She can’t be here… miss you mom. She was so positive and such a motivator in what she did. She’d be crying tears of joy now.” Clark fondly recalled his mother referring to him as a “winner” during his childhood and shared how she had encouraged him to play for something larger than himself. Expressing his gratitude, he stated, “I know she’d be proud of me. I feel like I have worked so hard and dreamed about this moment for long. So many times I’ve visualized being here in front of you guys winning this championship.”
For McIlroy, the US Open marked another year without adding to his collection of Major titles, extending his drought to nine years. However, the determined golfer remains optimistic about his chances at the upcoming Open. Having secured top-ten finishes in six of his past seven Majors, McIlroy is prepared to endure several Sundays of torment in his pursuit of a fifth Major championship. Undeterred by the narrow miss, McIlroy declared, “I would go through 100 Sundays like this to get my hands on another major championship. The golf course was playing really tricky, but all in all, I played a solid round. It is fine margins at this level, at this tournament especially, but I fought to the very end. I’ll keep coming back until I get another one.”
