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For the second time in four years, one of Colorado's own is the U.S. Open golf champion.
Wyndham Clark held off early challenges and on to his big lead, ultimately winning the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
Clark is now a two-time U.S. Open champion after winning his first career major title in the 2023 edition at Los Angeles Country Club.
He finished with a four-day total score of 4-under-par 276 to take home the 2026 crown.
The Denver native held a six-shot lead through 54 holes. Victory was hardly in hand, especially after some early charges from Sam Burns and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
He struggled out the gate with a front-nine 38 that featured three bogeys and no birdies as his large lead dwindled to one.
But Clark got up and down from a tough lie on No. 9 for par and then birdied the tough 10th via a remarkable spinning wedge shot to five feet.
From there, he converted numerous scrambling pars down the stretch as the field largely fell back on a tough, firm final-round Sunday at Shinnecock Hills on June 21.
Burns mounted one last charge, making a birdie to reach 3-under but missing short birdie putts on the last two holes that could have applied more pressure.
Clark then made his own finishing statement, draining a long birdie putt on the par-5 16th hole following a wayward drive and nasty lie in the rough.
Though he bogeyed the 17th hole, Clark rallied to par the 18th and seal the win.
It was a wire-to-wire win for Clark, who led outright after every round. He is just the eighth player to do so in 126 U.S. Opens, joining golf legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen.
The 2011 Valor Christian alumnus grew up in Highlands Ranch, playing and practicing at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Clark won the 2009 and 2011 Colorado Class 4A individual state golf titles, including an eight-shot victory in 2011 with rounds of 64 and 64 at Pelican Lakes Golf Course in Pelican Lakes.
After winning the U.S. Open and Wells Fargo Championship in 2023, Clark reached a career-high of No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings in April 2024 and played on Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup squads for the U.S.
However, he struggled throughout much of 2025 and brought on Cherry Hills Director of Instruction Pat Coyner as his swing coach in September.
Clark has surged since. This was his eighth top-20 finish in 2026, highlighted by a comeback win at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May with a final-round 60.
Still, he has become a polarizing figure in the sport.
Most notably, Clark reportedly damaged multiple lockers at historic Oakmont Country Club in a post-round outburst during the 2025 U.S. Open. He also was involved in a rules controversy at the 2024 Bay Hill tournament and prominently threw a club in anger at the 2025 PGA Championship.
That meant Clark was far from a fan favorite on Long Island. Fans could regularly be heard rooting against Clark on the NBC broadcast.
Still, Clark is a U.S. Open champion again, the sixth time a Colorado product has won golf's national championship.
Hale Irwin (Boulder High School, University of Colorado alumnus) won the U.S. Open in 1974, 1979 and 1990. Steve Jones (Yuma High School, CU alum) also won the U.S. Open title 30 years ago in 1996.
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado native Wyndham Clark wins 2026 U.S. Open golf title
Continue reading...
Wyndham Clark held off early challenges and on to his big lead, ultimately winning the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
Clark is now a two-time U.S. Open champion after winning his first career major title in the 2023 edition at Los Angeles Country Club.
He finished with a four-day total score of 4-under-par 276 to take home the 2026 crown.
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The Denver native held a six-shot lead through 54 holes. Victory was hardly in hand, especially after some early charges from Sam Burns and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
He struggled out the gate with a front-nine 38 that featured three bogeys and no birdies as his large lead dwindled to one.
But Clark got up and down from a tough lie on No. 9 for par and then birdied the tough 10th via a remarkable spinning wedge shot to five feet.
From there, he converted numerous scrambling pars down the stretch as the field largely fell back on a tough, firm final-round Sunday at Shinnecock Hills on June 21.
Burns mounted one last charge, making a birdie to reach 3-under but missing short birdie putts on the last two holes that could have applied more pressure.
Clark then made his own finishing statement, draining a long birdie putt on the par-5 16th hole following a wayward drive and nasty lie in the rough.
Though he bogeyed the 17th hole, Clark rallied to par the 18th and seal the win.
It was a wire-to-wire win for Clark, who led outright after every round. He is just the eighth player to do so in 126 U.S. Opens, joining golf legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen.
The 2011 Valor Christian alumnus grew up in Highlands Ranch, playing and practicing at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Clark won the 2009 and 2011 Colorado Class 4A individual state golf titles, including an eight-shot victory in 2011 with rounds of 64 and 64 at Pelican Lakes Golf Course in Pelican Lakes.
After winning the U.S. Open and Wells Fargo Championship in 2023, Clark reached a career-high of No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings in April 2024 and played on Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup squads for the U.S.
However, he struggled throughout much of 2025 and brought on Cherry Hills Director of Instruction Pat Coyner as his swing coach in September.
Clark has surged since. This was his eighth top-20 finish in 2026, highlighted by a comeback win at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May with a final-round 60.
Still, he has become a polarizing figure in the sport.
Most notably, Clark reportedly damaged multiple lockers at historic Oakmont Country Club in a post-round outburst during the 2025 U.S. Open. He also was involved in a rules controversy at the 2024 Bay Hill tournament and prominently threw a club in anger at the 2025 PGA Championship.
That meant Clark was far from a fan favorite on Long Island. Fans could regularly be heard rooting against Clark on the NBC broadcast.
Still, Clark is a U.S. Open champion again, the sixth time a Colorado product has won golf's national championship.
Hale Irwin (Boulder High School, University of Colorado alumnus) won the U.S. Open in 1974, 1979 and 1990. Steve Jones (Yuma High School, CU alum) also won the U.S. Open title 30 years ago in 1996.
You must be registered for see images
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado native Wyndham Clark wins 2026 U.S. Open golf title
Continue reading...
