Wyndham Clark wants to put "terrible" U.S. Open incident behind him: "I've gotten a lot of grief"

U.S. Open leader Wyndham Clark says he hopes to win back the fans he lost for his outburst of anger at Oakmont 12 months ago.

Clark, 33, was banned from the club in Pennsylvania after he damaged a century-old locker in a fit of rage after missing the cut in the 2025 edition of the  major. 

Reinstatement is contingent upon the American completing anger management or therapy sessions, paying for the damage and making a meaningful contribution to a charity chosen by the club. 

There is no danger of Clark making an early exit at the third men's major of the year as the four-time PGA Tour winner, who previously won the gold medal in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club, has opened up a commanding lead at Shinnecock Hills. 

Clark capitalised on the easier conditions yesterday morning, posting a six-under 64 and extended his lead to four on Friday with a 69. 

Speaking to reporters after his second round, Clark opened up on the "terrible incident" that transpired in 2025.

"I've gotten a lot of grief since last year," he said. "[And] rightfully so. The thing that's unfortunate is that's not who I am, what happened last year.

"I'm hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident. 

"You know, I really feel like I can show people that I'm fun and outgoing, I'm fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment. Hopefully I can win those people back.

"I definitely feel like I'm in a better place. Hopefully a great weekend and great rest of the year, maybe I'll gain all those fans back."

Clark has only registered two top 20 finishes in the majors since securing his first major win. 

"I was on top of the world - in my game at least - when I won the US Open," he said. "And then had some good years, then next thing I'm apologising for breaking a locker. I just think with the mental game, there's ebbs and flows.

"If you think of it as climbing Everest, sometimes you go up, sometimes you have to go down to go back up. 

"That's kind of what happens both on the golf course and off the golf course. Right now I'm trending back up, which is nice."

Clark mixed three birdies with two bogeys in his second round. 

He walked off with a bonus birdie at the 18th by holing a 33-foot putt. 

."My goal is to try to get to 10 or 11 [under par]. "You know, unfortunately some missed putts [today], short one on nine, and didn't birdie seven, and unfortunate bogey on six.

"I mean, I really felt like I could be in double digits, but you know, the great thing about that is I didn't feel like I had my best, and I still am leading as of right now."

"Hopefully I can bring my A-game on the weekend."

Keep checking GolfMagic for regular updates of the U.S. Open