Wyndham Clark beat fan’s favorite Rickie Fowler at the finals in Los Angeles to win the 2023 US Open and his first major golf championship title.
“Obviously I put my own pressure on myself, but yeah, I guess it’s nice being the underdog,” Clark said after the final round. “It was great walking by hearing a lot of people chant for Rickie’s name because it kind of fueled the fire underneath me that I could do it.”
Wyndham Clark who had only one PGA Tour title was victorious over Northern Ireland’s four-time major champion to win the 123rd edition of the major by a single stroke.
Clark finished the tournament at 10-under, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and five strokes ahead of Fowler. He held on despite making bogey at holes No. 15 and No. 16 and watching a three-stroke lead over McIlroy get whittled to one shot.
He held on for victory thanks to pars at No. 17 and No. 18 for an even-par 70 in the final round and went home with a $3.6 million winner’s prize of a record $20 million purse, the largest ever awarded in major history.
Wyndham Clark dedicated Sunday’s win to his late mother Lise Clark, who left him with sole instruction to “play big”.
PClark went emotional while speaking about her inspiration spurred him so far.
“She’d be crying tears of joy,” Clark said when asked what his mom would say after he won. “… She called me ‘Winner’ when I was little, so she would just say, ‘I love you, Winner.'”
“I just felt like my mom was watching over me today and you know she can’t be here. Miss you mom,” he said.
Lise Clark died of breast cancer in 2013.
“I’ve worked so hard and I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long. There’s been so many times I’ve visualized being here in front of you guys and winning this championship”, he continued.
“I just feel like it was my time.”
Rickie Fowler was also seeking his first major championship and started the day tied for the lead with Clark at 10-under. But he never bounced back after making three bogeys over the first seven holes.
“I just didn’t have it today,” Fowler said. “Iron play was very below average and didn’t make anything. That’s a big thing in majors, especially on a Sunday. Making putts and kind of keeping it fairly stress-free.”
Rory McIlroy tried as much as he could to win after lifting his last major championship nine years ago. He made one birdie and one bogey during his round of even-70.
“I obviously never give up.,” McIlroy said. “And I’m getting closer. The more I keep putting myself in these positions, sooner or later it’s going to happen for me.”
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