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Wyndham Clark’s commanding performance somewhat sucked the energy from the property on Saturday at Shinnecock. And there wasn’t much energy to begin with.
Viewers at home noted a lack of fans in attendance over the final hours at the U.S. Open. Many of the grandstands were half-full to watch Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa in the closing groups, with Clark’s shot of the tournament at the 16th sounding like a Thursday morning at a sleepy tour event.
Clark, among others, noticed too.
“Yeah, it was kind of unfortunate that we’re finishing in the dark and people weren’t really out there because there were some obviously key, big moments, and it did kind of get a little flat,” Clark said on Saturday evening after an even-par 70. “Hopefully tomorrow there’s a bunch of fans and stuff, but for me, it’s still really important, and I still felt the moment. It’s just maybe unfortunate that there weren’t all the people there.”
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When asked a follow-up if he’s ever seen so few fans in the crowd of a major Saturday, Clark replied, “Yeah, actually I can when I was in, like, 50th place or something. It’s a little unfortunate. I don’t know if it’s because we finished so late or what, but it’s OK. I am still excited to be where I’m at, and I’m not really focusing on that part.”
Clark, in the final pairing, did not go off until 3:45 P.M. on Saturday, a move made to show off Shinnecock Hills at sunset. It also led to many fans leaving early to catch trains back to New York City.
However, it wasn’t just the late pairing. The USGA has not sold as many tickets as past U.S. Opens, and that includes the 2018 U.S. Open. Given its remote location in the Hamptons, the move was purposeful to make it a more enjoyable experience for fans, both on the grounds and to alleviate some of the nightmarish logistical issues with only one main road out to the course.
Still, with World Cup going on this week, along with the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals parade, it’s been somewhat sleepy all week at Shinnecock, save for followings early Saturday around Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Even the 18th hole has been somewhat problematic, as there are reserved stands behind the green that have been mostly unused through three days.
Clark said he’s a player that feeds off energy, so is hoping things change on Sunday afternoon.
“I love making a big putt and feeling that or hitting a good shot and getting the claps. So it was unfortunate it got a little flat,” Clark said. “Also, because of that, sometimes it made it tough to stay really focused because it seemed like everyone was leaving, and it was like the tournament was over, and I had to keep myself really focused and in the present.
“I didn’t do my best job; I made kind of two poor bogeys coming in. Hopefully there’s people there tomorrow and it’s a great atmosphere.”
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Main Image: Mike Mulholland
