The US Open returns to Shinnecock Hills for its 2026 edition, eight years after it was last held at the New York venue. That may well be welcome news for Wyndham Clark, who was handed a ban from the 2025 venue Oakmont after his behaviour during the major.
Clark is a previous US Open champion, having pipped Rory McIlroy to the title in 2023. Last year, however, he missed the cut and let out his frustrations during a challenging weekend.
The Denver-born star, who has represented Team USA at the Ryder Cup, was found to have damaged lockers at Oakmont. He was slapped with a ban, which chiefs said would only be overturned if he demonstrated a willingness to work on his anger.
“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,” club president John Lynch said in a letter to members, first shared by Golf Digest. “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 counselling and/or anger management sessions.”
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Clark addressed the matter when asked about it. “I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows,” the 32-year-old said.
“I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened. 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.”
View 2 ImagesWyndham Clark had a tough time at Oakmont in 2025(Image: Getty Images)
The American goes into this year’s US Open chasing his first top 10 finish since the 2025 Open Championship. He finished in a tie for 21st at the Masters and missed the cut at the PGA Championship.
J.J. Spaun will arrive at Shinnecock Hills as the defending champion. The American claimed his first career major title at the tournament last year, ending as the only player under par and finishing two strokes clear of closest challenger Bob McIntyre.
Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy and USPGA winner Aaron Rai are both in the field and in contention to continue the European domination of this year’s biggest tournaments. Clark, meanwhile, celebrated his fourth career PGA Tour title less than a month ago with victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
He shot a final round 60 in that tournament to finish three strokes clear of Kim Si-woo. It was a first PGA Tour triumph for Clark since 2024, when he pipped Ludvig Aberg to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
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