Wyndham Clark U.S. Open controversy: Revisiting locker room issue at 2025 event at Oakmont

The highest and lowest moments of Wyndham Clark's career have both come at the U.S. Open.

Clark reached the peak of his professional career in 2023, when he secured his first major title at the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. The win appeared to be a potential launching point for Clark, who turned 30 later that year.

However, what followed was a disappointing stretch of golf that culminated in perhaps the lowest point of his career. Just two years after winning the U.S. Open, Clark was banned from a U.S. Open venue for his actions following another poor performance.

Clark has since found his stride and gotten back on track as a professional, but the incident at Oakmont will follow him for a while. Here's why he got in trouble.

MORE: Inside Wyndham Clark's major history

What happened with Wyndham Clark at Oakmont?

Clark missed the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, punctuating a stretch of poor major performances.  After his second and final round of the event, in which he missed the cut by just one stroke, Clark damaged a few lockers in the Oakmont locker room.

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This marked the continuation of a troubling trend for Clark, who had struggled to find his form. Clark hadn't finished better than tied for 46th in a major since winning the 2023 U.S. Open, and his frustration boiled over at Oakmont.

Clark has had his fair share of controversial moments as a professional, but this incident resulted in damage to one of the game's iconic U.S. Open venues. Ahead of the following week's tournament, Clark spoke with the media and apologized for his actions.

"I've had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows. I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I'm very sorry for what happened," he said. "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 FedExCup. So I'm starting to move on and focus on those things."

Is Wyndham Clark banned from Oakmont?

The incident was serious enough that Oakmont felt the need to punish Clark, as the club banned Clark from its property.

"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," Oakmont told it's members in a letter, via Golf Digest.

Additionally, Clark will have to apply for reinstatement for the ban to be lifted. Oakmont will not host a professional event until 2033, when the U.S. Open returns to its property.

"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," the letter said.