Wyndham Clark — last year’s U.S. Open champ — and the locker room meltdown that’s now gotten him banned from one of golf’s most storied cathedrals: Oakmont Country Club.
Let’s rewind the tape for a second. The U.S. Open at Oakmont last month? Yeah, not Clark’s finest hour. After missing the cut, the guy absolutely lost it in the locker room. And we’re not talking about tossing a glove or swearing under his breath — we’re talking full-on destruction. Lockers smashed. Damage done. Enough commotion to spark a disciplinary storm.
Regret Comes Later
A week later at the Travelers Championship, Clark stepped up to the mic and gave a heartfelt apology: “I made a mistake that I deeply regret.” And hey, kudos for owning it. But in the world of elite golf, especially at a club like Oakmont — which treats tradition like sacred scripture — regret only gets you so far.
Because now, thanks to a letter obtained by GolfDigest, we’ve got the whole truth. Clark is banned from the Oakmont property. Not suspended. Not “strongly discouraged.” Banned — as in, do not set foot on the premises. Club president John Lynch laid it out plainly and clearly: the board has discussed it with the USGA, and the decision is final.
Redemption, But With Conditions
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Clark can earn reinstatement, but not without jumping through some serious hoops. The Oakmont board isn’t just asking for a check and a handshake — they want full repayment for the damage and a “meaningful contribution” to a charity of their choosing. Oh, and let’s not forget: successful completion of counseling and/or anger management sessions. That’s not just damage control — that’s a full rehabilitation arc.
The 2033 Twist
Clark’s got a 10-year exemption from winning the U.S. Open in 2023, which means he’s guaranteed a spot until 2033. And guess where that final exemption year lands? You guessed it: Oakmont. The same club that just showed him the door.
So now the million-dollar question is: will Clark do what it takes to get back in time for his return to Oakmont in 2033? Or will one outburst cost him his homecoming at the very course he could’ve been celebrated on?
