Wyndham Clark Hopes for Warmer Reception at Presidents Cup

Wyndham Clark says fans at the 2026 Presidents Cup have treated him well so far at Medinah, a contrast to the hostile crowds he faced this summer while winning the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and, later, the BMW Championship.

What happened to Clark at the U.S. Open?

Clark won the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills for his second national championship, but the final round was overshadowed by spectators who were openly rooting against him, a scene that echoed the crowd behavior American fans showed at last September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Questions about how fans treat Clark followed him through the summer, including at the BMW Championship in August, which he won despite fans largely supporting McIlroy.

What has Clark said about the criticism?

At his pre-tournament press conference Wednesday at Medinah, Clark said he felt the narrative around him has been unfair. "The media has made me out to be the villain," Clark said, adding that he hopes fans eventually root for him rather than cast him as an underdog's foil. He said the reception in Chicago this week has been positive, describing the crowd support as consistent since his U.S. Open win in New York.

Clark has won two majors and a BMW Championship this year, and still says the biggest fight has been for the crowd's support.

What did Clark say about his teammates?

Asked about chemistry on a U.S. team sometimes described in the media as less close-knit than Europe's Ryder Cup squad, Clark pushed back, saying the players grew up together and remain close. He identified Thomas as the team's most passionate player heading into this week's matches, and separately named Scheffler as the most competitive and Collin Morikawa as the best dressed among his U.S. teammates.