Welcome to Earl's Golf Blog
June 22, 2026
Validation comes with two!
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Winning one U.S. Open is a remarkable accomplishment. Winning a second validates that achievement and confirms a player's place among the game's elite.
Wyndham Clark has now earned the distinction of being a two-time U.S. Open champion. His opening-round 64 at Shinnecock Hills was a brilliant display of shot-making and putting on a day when many of the world's best players struggled simply to stay within striking distance. From that point forward, Clark faced the challenge of protecting a lead while navigating the peculiarities of one of golf's most demanding venues. In the end, he proved to be the strongest competitor and the last man standing.
As I watched Clark throughout the week, I was struck by his similarities to another two-time U.S. Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau. To me, Clark is a mini version of Bryson—strong, aggressive, and highly mechanical in his approach to the game. Both players make golf look difficult, as if every component of their swings, short game and putting must be perfectly aligned for success.
After the second round, Clark's ball-striking became somewhat inconsistent. He appeared to take longer deciding and preparing for his shots, leading at times to indecision, missed fairways, and missed greens. What ultimately carried him to victory was an exceptional short game and superb putting. Maintaining that level of touch and concentration under U.S. Open pressure requires tremendous mental fortitude. This week, Clark was simply the best.
Through his PGA Tour career, Clark has not been considered an elite putter. However, during his victory at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, he enjoyed an extraordinary week on the greens. Following that win, his swing mechanics deteriorated somewhat, and with them, the confidence that fueled his putting success. A new coach helped restore his swing, and after experimenting with several putters, he appears to have found a putter and stroke that suits him again.
Statistically, many Tour players experience six-week stretches when every part of their game comes together. Clark, with his win in Dallas and high finishes the past two weeks, appears to be in one of those periods. Following his win at LACC, his performance level declined before eventually rebounding this year. My prediction is that he will once again settle back somewhat—not dramatically, but enough to remain just below the sustained high level of players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Great putters tend to remain consistently effective. Average Tour putters tend to run hot and cold. Wyndham is due to cool off a bit.
The USGA should be very pleased with this year's championship. There was no controversy surrounding the course setup, and a winning score of four-under par demonstrated that the course did not need to be artificially toughened to provide a stern test. Weather, as always, was the unpredictable factor and played a significant role throughout the week, particularly during the opening round.
Luck is always part of the U.S. Open experience. Favorable bounces, playable lies in the fescue, and fortunate breaks can influence the outcome. It certainly seemed that Clark enjoyed his share of good fortune during the week. But his victory was about more than luck—it was about capitalizing on opportunities when they presented themselves and executing under pressure when it mattered most.
The stars have aligned twice for Wyndham Clark. Will it happen again? If it does, it wouldn't be luck!
