Wyndham Clark burst onto the scene with a stunning U.S. Open victory in 2023 before becoming a Team USA Ryder Cup pick.
But few would have predicted that two years later, he would find himself falling down the rankings and banned from a U.S. Open venue.
Clark, once ranked third in the OWGR rankings, has fallen to 26th.
And while he still has 2025 Ryder Cup ambitions, captain Keegan Bradley would have to overlook the fact that he is banned from Oakmont Country Club.
One of golf’s most historic and coveted venues – an incident that left the club shaken.
A moment of madness that Wydham Clark will deeply regret
Oakmont was the venue for the 125th U.S. Open in June, a golf course renowned for its truly punishing layout and rich tradition for hosting the event a record 10 times.
Clark, the 2023 champion at Los Angeles Country Club, missed the cut at Oakmont with a turbulent score of eight over par through 36 holes and missed the weekend.
The American was then involved in a locker room incident, where he damaged club property and a locker in the prestigious venue, following an outburst of rage following his on-course struggle.
And Oakmont’s response was equally emphatic.
The Country Club’s President, John Lynch, sent a letter to members announcing that Clark was no longer permitted on the venue’s grounds.
Wyndham Clark was banned from the U.S. Open’s most revered venue.
Wyndham Clark: ‘I’m committed to making sure it won’t happen again.’
After rediscovering some form of old with a T4 finish at The Open, Clark openly addressed the incident at the previous Major: “I feel terrible about what happened, and I’m doing everything I can to remedy the situation.”
While his Oakmont Country Club ban is not permanent, Clark must meet a series of requirements if he wishes to return to the venue later down the line.
Oakmont’s board declared that Clark must pay for the damages he caused, make a charitable donation to a cause of their choice, and undergo counselling or an equivalent anger management programme to rescind his ban.
And when speaking after his fourth round at Royal Portrush, he announced he had begun the process: “Paying for the damages was a no-brainer.
“I want to give back to the community because I hurt a great place in the community. This incident does not reflect who I am, and I am committed to making sure it won’t happen again.”
Wydham Clark hopes to play at Oakmont Country Club again
Oakmont and its U.S. Open hosting record hold legend status in golf and remain one of the truest tests in the sport.
It embodies the traditions of the sport, and being banned from its grounds is a significant setback to Clark and his reputation as a gritty breakout talent who made the hard yards.
His U.S. Open exemptions from his 2023 win will expire before Oakmont hosts the event again in 2033.
Clark hopes to compete at the historic venue once more, but the fate of his participation rests with the club’s leadership board.
His honesty and willingness to accept responsibility for his actions will no doubt help his cause in overturning his current Oakmont ban.
He is working not just to repair his relationship with Oakmont, but to change the new perception of the player and person that he is.
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