Wyndham Clark finally broke his silence this week following reports that he damaged historic lockers at Oakmont Country Club in a fit of frustration after missing the cut at this year’s championship.
Speaking ahead of his opening round at the Travelers Championship, Clark addressed the incident directly, offering a public apology that sought to balance remorse, accountability, and a desire to move forward.
“I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows. I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened.”
A Player Under Pressure
Clark’s frustration at Oakmont came after two tough rounds in brutal U.S. Open conditions. His 74-74 performance left him outside the cut line at +8, one shot shy of weekend play. It was a steep drop from the player who lifted the trophy a year earlier at LACC.
His apology also hinted at a broader emotional rollercoaster:
“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…I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team.”
In that one sentence, Clark laid bare a player trying to manage both reputation and ambition. He didn’t try to erase the past, he simply asked to move beyond it.
While some praised the sincerity of Clark’s words, others noted this wasn’t his first on-course outburst.
At the PGA Championship earlier this year, Clark flung his driver into advertising signage behind the tee at the 16th hole–snapping the club head and narrowly missing a volunteer. He later issued a public apology for what he described as “uncalled for and completely inappropriate” behavior.
Now, with the Oakmont incident fresh, fans and analysts alike are watching closely: is this just a streak of bad moments, or a deeper pattern of emotional volatility?
Fan Reactions
On social platforms, many questioned both his actions and the sincerity of his apology. One scathing comment from Reddit labeled the apology as “passive voice garbage”—a non-apology that doesn’t hold him accountable.
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) asked:
“Would he have apologized if it didn’t become public? Is this just a PR move he was forced into?”
Some called for disciplinary action:
“He should be suspended. This is ridiculous. The tour and the USGA should make statements strongly condemning the club throwing, profanity, and all the other antics that have become the norm in the professional game.”
Golf’s Unwritten Code of Conduct
Behavior like smashing a locker at a golf major would rarely make headlines in other sports. A basketball player tossing a towel, a footballer swearing on camera–it might earn a fine or a brief social media storm, but it wouldn’t challenge the culture of the sport itself.
Golf, however, has its own culture of silent composure. Clubhouses like Oakmont are historical sanctuaries, not just functional spaces. That’s why Clark’s actions sparked such outrage. It’s not just rule-breaking; it felt like a symbolic defiance of tradition.
Contrast that with tennis, where racquet-smashing is practically a rite of passage, or basketball where trashing a court in anger is forgiven with a shrug. In golf, losing your cool behind the scenes at a major has real-world consequences for reputation and legacy.
Rules and Regulations
Under the USGA’s Rule 1–Player Conduct, some actions are classified as Serious Misconduct, which can result in penalties or disqualification. The rule states:
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“Examples of actions by a player that are likely to be considered serious misconduct include: Deliberately causing serious damage to a putting green.”
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Conversely, “slamming a club to the ground” or damaging turf inadvertently may not be deemed serious enough.
Damage to locker-room property may fall into a gray area–not as impactful as harming the course itself, but still out of line with the conduct expected at a major event.
Though Clark is a PGA Tour player, here’s how the PGA of America Code of Ethics system treats misconduct:
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Minor offenses (e.g. slamming a club): can lead to fines up to $250 or tournament suspensions.
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Major offenses (e.g. serious damage or abusive/violent conduct): may trigger larger fines, longer suspensions, or even expulsion.
While the PGA Tour has its own Regulations and Player Handbook, penalties for property destruction would be adjudicated internally, with potential disciplinary action–even if not publicly disclosed.
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