It is not exactly a hot take to say that Wyndham Clark was not a popular winner of the US Open in the eyes of the spectators at Shinnecock Hills this past week.
Wyndham Clark faced a relentless amount of abuse during the final round from those behind the ropes. It became uncomfortable at times, with the loudest reactions coming when Clark found a bunker or saw his ball roll off the green.
How did you feel about the New York crowd’s treatment of Wyndham Clark?
However, it felt telling when there proved to be just one player waiting to congratulate Clark before he reached the clubhouse after he had secured his second major victory.
That player was PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai.
What Wyndham Clark can learn after Aaron Rai’s amazing US Open gesture
It is difficult to imagine there has ever been a bigger contrast in the reaction to the conclusion of two successive major championships.
Rai’s victory at Aronimink was followed by so many players saying how they could not be happier for the Englishman. The likes of Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy made it clear that there was no-one they would rather see win if it was not going to be them.
From the outside, Rai appears to be as relatable as a PGA Tour golfer could possibly be. He does not have an ego. He is rarely in the headlines when he is not winning tournaments.
It was remarkable when stories emerged after the tournament revealing that Rai was actually concerned about how his life would change if he won the PGA Championship.
And if there was any doubt at all, Rai confirmed his class by waiting around to congratulate Clark on Sunday. Rai’s final round at Shinnecock Hills started nearly two hours before Clark’s. But he made sure to be there as the American walked off the 18th green.
Anyone who knows Rai will not have been surprised by the gesture.
The wait for redemption goes on for Wyndham Clark
Clark clearly wants to be loved by golf fans. Unfortunately, his attempts at showing humility do not always feel genuine.
His actions in recent years have led to plenty of justified criticism. Meanwhile, some of the comments he has made in that time have not endeared him to fans.
Clark will argue that as long as he is loved by those closest to him, he is content with how he is behaving. And he deserves some credit for trying so hard to change perceptions of him, even if he misses the mark quite often.
But it should be a wake-up call that there was not a line of players waiting to congratulate him. It is perhaps also telling that very few players seem to be mentioning Clark in their social media posts about the US Open.
Obviously, if Clark puts himself by the 18th green at Royal Birkdale so he can congratulate The Open Championship winner next month, some will criticise him. He will be accused of doing it for the cameras as part of a contrived attempt to rehabilitate his image.
But Rai’s act of kindness shows exactly why he was such a popular winner at the PGA Championship.
Clark should be taking notes if he wants a potential third major victory to provide redemption in the eyes of the golfing public.
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