Will Chicago golf fans be kinder to Wyndham Clark than Long Island fans were to him in June? That’s a question on the mind of the two-time major champion as the 2026 Presidents Cup is underway in Medina.
This summer, Clark fought through the final struggles to win the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. But he didn’t just fight his game in the final round. He also had to contend with unruly fans, many of whom were openly rooting against him while fighting for his second victory in the American national championship.
U strange scene at Shinnecock marked what was a huge moment in Clark’s career, not too different from how the The behavior of American fans at the Ryder Cup in Bethpage Last September he cleared those proceedings.
Questions about Clark’s treatment from spectators at the US Open have followed him ever since, all the way to Medinah and this week’s Presidents Cup.
Wyndham Clark on Presidents Cup fans: ‘It would be nice if people were rooting for me’
Surely US fans would drop whatever distaste they had for Clark and throw their support behind him as he played with an American flag on his shirt, right?
That’s something Clark wondered about, not long after win the BMW Championship in August, where fans strongly supported Rory McIlroy on Sunday.
Clark acknowledged that the fans were not behind him at the BMW, then joked: “If I don’t have love in the Presidents Cup, like a USA guy, then I don’t know, I could move to Mexico or something.”
Fast forward a month, and there Clark was, sitting down for his pre-tournament press conference Wednesday in Medina. When asked about the lack of fan support for many of his six wins, Clark claimed that “the media” had made him out to be “the bad guy” so far in his career, then admitted that he wanted the fans to start rooting for him at some point.
“I think if it happened throughout my career, yes, maybe it would be a disappointment because even though I’m maybe – the media made me out to be the bad guy, if you will, I don’t feel like I’m that person,” Clark said Wednesday. “Finally, it would be nice if people were rooting for me and someone else was the loser, if you will.”
Until this week, American fans in Chicago have treated Clark well, as he said during his presser.
“Yes, I still love to joke with the media. Yes, it’s been amazing. The USA fans are the best, especially here in Chicago. It’s been amazing, yes. We all love it,” he said. “It’s all love. Since New York, it’s been all love.”
As for whether it will continue as the Presidents’ Cup it really worksand beyond when Clark starts playing individual events again, Clark makes no predictions.
“We’ll see,” he said Wednesday. “I hope things are trending and changing in the right direction.”
Clark calls American player with “least emotion” in Presidents Cup
The mood was not all gloomy at Clark’s Presidents Cup press conference.
When asked about the “team atmosphere” among the Americans in Medinah, Clark had only good things to say about their chemistry.
“Team atmosphere? One word, I mean, close. We’re – it’s always funny in the media, they just talk about how our team is not close to Europe. We all grew up together. We’re all really close,” revealed Clark. “There is constant chatter and bickering back and forth, in a good way. Yes, our team is very close.”
He also lashed out at some of his teammates.
When a reporter said Clark was one of the most “passionate” players on Team USA, he instead identified another player as the most fired up: the veteran Team USA player. Justin Thomas.
“JT is probably our most passionate guy, especially during these events. Yeah, I think it helps. Anytime you can bring the crowd in and get them involved, you gain that momentum, and momentum is so big in golf,” Clark said. “I really want to have a couple of those moments that are just iconic and really bring the team together and get the crowd going. I hope that happens this week.”
Clark then answered a series of questions about the superlatives of the US team (Most competitive? Scottie Scheffler. The best outfit? Collin Morikawa. The biggest trash-talker? Xander Schauffele).
Finally, Clark was asked what superlative he would give his partner Patrick Cantlay. He gave his answer, ribbing Cantlay in the process.
“Patrick Cantlay – the slightest emotion.”
