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Wyndham Clark has started off the first two rounds of this year's Masters on the right foot. Locker room doors and sponsor signs have breathed a sigh of relief at this news.
While he was victorious at the 2023 U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club, beating out Rory McIlroy by a stroke, his career seems to have plateaued after the feat. Along with this, Clark has taken out his anger externally multiple times while on the course.
Clark's anger was most recently showcased during the 2025 season, causing damage to Oakmont's storied locker room at the U.S. Open, and a month prior at Quail Hollow during the 2025 PGA Championship. While he has issued apologies for both incidents, golf fans and golf officials alike have had short patience with Clark's outbursts.
Here's a look into the controversies surrounding Clark's career and how he has fared at past Masters championships.
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Wyndham Clark timeline of controversy
2026 U.S. Open jeers
Clark led for most of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, but he had to fight through fans rooting against him. Clark's reputation appeared to catch up to him, as fans had no interest in pulling for Clark despite his big lead.
Fans jeered Clark heavily over the course of the final round, as the golfer battled Scottie Scheffler in the final pair on Sunday. At least a few fans were kicked out of the event for jeering Clark as Clark tried to hold onto his lead.
Cops are booting people for shouting “Don’t choke Wyndham!” as he sets up to his shot. This young man got bounced for saying it before Clark’s tee shot at No. 4 pic.twitter.com/M1d1ZO687u
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 21, 2026“Let’s go Wyndham!” yells one man in the 14th tee/9 green grandstand.
He was promptly booed.
Loud cheers at No. 2 as Wyndham runs one over the green. Can’t remember hearing anything like this for an American at a U.S Open … ever?
Obviously Sergio etc. always heard from the crowds, but an American Ryder Cupper in New York feels a little unprecedented.
2026 Masters Par 3 Contest
At the 2026 Masters Par 3 Contest, Clark was one of the few golfers without their kids in attendance. When asked by Scott Van Pelt about how this experience was, Clark responded, "I will say as a man with no kids, it’s great birth control, but it’s a lot of fun."
Is there anybody as unlikable as Wyndham Clark? Was mic'd up in the par 3 contest, playing with Woodland and Keagan, saying that today is "great birth control" being out here amongst the kids. The joke didn't quite land. It's Wyndham's world, we're just living in it. pic.twitter.com/ObUKAbqBlE
— MJ1907 (@MiguelVol995) April 8, 2026Clark's girlfriend, Emily Tanner, didn't find this to be too humorous and rolled her eyes behind Clark. Van Pelt gave Clark a quick chuckle after the soundbite.
2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont
During last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Plum, Pennsylvania, Clark made headlines due to a post-round outburst. In Oakmont's historic locker room, which strives to maintain its original 1903 design, photos surfaced of a locker door bashed in.
Clark took his anger out on a locker door after he missed the U.S. Open cut, shooting eight over the first two days. Here is a photo of the aftermath from Clark's outburst at the storied Oakmont locker room.
https://t.co/DdClg8952U pic.twitter.com/b1bkezlT9B
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) June 15, 2025After the incident, Oakmont club president John Lynch issued the following statement, essentially banning Clark from the course's premises until conditions were met:
"Several of you have inquired about the situation involving Wyndham Clark and the steps being taken in response to his recent behavior. Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property.
"This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the Board.
"Reinstatement would be contingent upon Mr. Clark fulfilling a number of specific conditions, including full repayment for damages, a meaningful contribution to a charity of the Board's choosing, and the successful completion of counseling and/or anger management sessions.
"Thank you for your understanding and continued support."
Clark took to social media to apologize for the outburst, saying, "I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I'm very sorry for what happened. But I'd also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA and kind of focus on the rest of this year and things that come up. I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup. So I'm starting to move on and focus on those things."
2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow
One month prior to his incident at Oakmont, Clark received backlash for dangerously throwing his driver after a subpar tee shot. The driver hit a T-Mobile sponsor sign (the same sponsor Clark's hat represented) and was just a few feet away from a wind flag attendant. Here is a video of the outburst on hole 16 at Quail Hollow.
This is some absolute clown stuff from Wyndham Clark pic.twitter.com/UYAH0fFTXA
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) May 18, 2025After receiving ample backlash about his behavior, Clark took to social media and issued an apology. He promised to improve the way he handles frustrations on the course going forward, but his behavior a month later at Oakmont would beg to differ.
Here is Clark's issued apology.
— Wyndham Clark (@Wyndham_Clark) May 19, 2025MORE: Ranking the top 30 golfers at Augusta this year
Wyndham Clark Masters history
This year, Clark is playing in his third Masters championship. Through two rounds at the 2026 outing, Clark sits at 4-under. His best finish came last year, when he finished T-46 with a 5-over score. Here is how Clark has fared in his previous two editions at Augusta.
| Year | Result | Score | To par |
| 2025 | T46 | 76-68-75-74 | +5 |
| 2024 | MC | 73-78 | +7 |
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How old is Wyndham Clark?
Wyndham Clark is 32 years old. The golfer was born on Dec. 9, 1993, in Denver, Colorado. His father, Randall, was a former professional tennis player, while his late mother, Lise, won the 1981 Miss New Mexico USA pageant.
Clark went to high school at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, where he was two years ahead of 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year winner Christian McCaffrey. After this, Clark originally attended Oklahoma State but transferred to Oregon in 2016, where he won the PAC-12 conference championship and GolfWeek Player of the Year.
He has been on the PGA Tour since the 2018-2019 season.
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