It was a weird one, wasn't it? A U.S Open that will go to history for its loathed winner, few spectators and given penalty strokes.
Here are five thoughts the 2026 U.S Open.
Impressive Wyndham Clark – Never before have I seen a tournament where the crowd is so openly taking a stance against a player, booing when he does something good and cheering after a miss. But this was the case throughout Wyndham Clark's march towards victory.
The spectator reactions has its roots in Wyndham Clark's behavior after a poor display at Oakmont last year, where he, in frustration after missing the cut, more or less tarnished two lockers in the clubhouse.
Now, of course you can say anything you want about that behavior, and I happily admit that I myself was not rooting for Wyndham Clark at Shinnecock, but I still find the golf fans' treatment of him to be appalling and nothing that belongs on a golf course. Bad should not be treated with bad. It would be nice to set an example of sportsmanship – but unfortunately this is where golf is currently at.
Having this said, for Clark to handle being anything but the fan favorite in the way he did was impressive. Aside from stellar putting, he displayed focus, discipline and resilience truly worthy of a U.S Open Champion.
Spectator Fiasco – In a time where golf has never been more popular it was weird watching the broadcast and not seeing more people at Shinnecock. Especially since the course is located just outside New York. One may wonder if professional golf is loosing its hype.
Excellent course – Over the past years, and especially at Shinnecock, the USGA has had a tendency of loosing control over the course, turning a tough test into massacres. This year they found the perfect balance, singling out who actually played the best golf this week. It was firm and fast in a way that showcased the design of the course in the best possible way, and that forced players into thinking strategically while also showing patience and resilience.
Penalty for bad behavior, yes, please! – The talk of the town for the first half of the tournament was definitely the two penalty strokes handed out to Joaquin Niemann for unsportsmanlike behavior. For a game that over the past couple of decades has been fighting to keep it's identity, this was a must.
In a game where the professional players has gotten so much to say, where more money than ever before is going to the players, where they are more entitled than ever, it was time to set down the foot – something which is very hard for a player owned organisation such as The PGA Tour. Now, majors are run by Augusta National Golf Club, USGA, The R&A and the PGA of America, and those three are now actively doing more than ever before to protect the integrity and identity of the game.
If golf is to remain a distilled version of life, where code of conduct matter and you should treat others like you would like to be treated yourself, dropping F-boms and throwing clubs cannot be a standard. After all these guys should act as role models.
To highlight the cultivation of poor behavior among tour players let's have a look at the past. Jack Nicklaus never said anything worse than "Oh, Jack", and you'd never hear either Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson or Gary Player either throw a club or drop the F-bomb. Not even Greg Norman after any of his bad losses. Neither have we heard or seen Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods behave in this way.
Nowadays, locker rooms and tee markers get destroyed, clubs are thrown and it is literally raining F-bombs.
Of course, players are being recorded 24/7 these days, and perhaps the burdon is heavier with more on the line than before. However, with that burdon comes unimaginable wealth. It all comes with the job.
Composure is a skill – and a skill that this game should continue to teach.