The Round Table: Final thoughts on the U.S. Open

Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

With the majority of the crowd against him and his lead dwindling, Wyndham Clark hung tough on Sunday and won his second U.S. Open title. What was your reaction to Clark’s win?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): Exactly that. He hung tough and truly deserved the win.  I give him full credit for very steady golf under very stressful circumstances.  Not the most popular winner, for sure, but I don’t put him in the loathsome Patrick Reed category.

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): Impressive grit. Wyndham just kept hitting the next shot. No panic, no theatrics—just ball‑striking and belief in his short game. That’s an atypical U.S. Open Champion win. The second title proves he’s not a fluke; he’s a closer in the game’s toughest setting. I’m no fan of his either, but I can respect the play. He’s just a guy for me that is hard to cheer for; I don’t like some of the things he’s done or said in the past (as an Amateur or professional). I don’t care that he is American on American soil in a US Open, people (especially in America, and NY) will express themselves how they see fit, and many did.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: He is a tough guy to like. He tried to apologize for several things during his interview, but it was the wrong time and place. He knows he has an awkward personality, but he doesn’t know why. He will as he gets older but right now, he’s a square peg in a round hole. The course tried to take away his victory, but it didn’t. You have to give the guy credit for enduring and persevering.

Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver:  With the unwashed doing their best Bethpage impression, it was impossible not to cheer for Clark. As Brandel Chamblee pointed out last week, the behavior of the pros has deteriorated recently with F bombs and club tosses, and Clark’s locker room trashing. They have set an example being closely followed by the mouth breathers posing as golf fans. Clark has apologized, made restitution at Oakmont, has sought counsel that he so dearly needed Sunday. He deserves forgiveness, acceptance, and congratulations.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine: It’s tough to win on the PGA Tour, tougher yet to win majors. Can’t imagine how tough it is to win a major when practically everyone is cheering against you and hurling verbal abuse. I’m not a fan but I think Clark deserves a great deal of credit for not cracking under that pressure. He stuck to his game plan and his short game and putting were brilliant when he needed them most. Pretty impressive I’d say.

In previous U.S. Opens at Shinnecock Hills, the course delivered winning scores close to even par. Last week, only three players finished under par, even though the set-up was allegedly less penal than earlier championships. What was your take on the course and the way the USGA set it up?

Deeks: It was tough, and I thought unfairly penal for all the shots that rolled off greens into deep bunkers.  I was actually impressed by the patience and lack of frustration shown by the players.  That said, I would love to play that golf course one day and will look forward to the next US Open there.

Loughry: Classic U.S. Open: exacting without being gimmicky. Scores told the story—under par was gold/exceptional. It rewarded discipline off the tee and precise iron play. “Fair” doesn’t mean easy; you still had to think your way around. The USGA struck a nice balance challenge and playability in my opinion.

Schurman: It’s a demanding course, a demanding tournament and should test every player. When players are hitting 8 irons from 190 yards, the targets have to be less available. Part of the game is to control the distance. I saw many, many shots land 1/3 into a green and roll over the back, but players know that before they hit. The most difficult design feature is how many greens run front to back and then drop-off. I enjoy this brand of golf for the US Open and the Open.

Quinn: Well, as we said before it started, the Open story is always the set up. Everything seemed fair, requiring every shot, except those elevated greens — exposed to sun and wind — absolutely refused to accept, and then penalized, some really good shots. They could have used another dose of hydration beyond their usual 2 pm refreshment.

Mumford: Shinnecock Hills looks like one of the hardest courses on the planet, even before the USGA dresses it up for the national championship. To their credit, the blue blazers didn’t grow the rough too long, left the playing corridors a reasonable width and even had the green speeds under control. I loved the elevated greens with the long runoffs, even if some players couldn’t stick their approach. The course and the set-up protected par, which is what the USGA wanted. To me though, it just wasn’t a lot of fun to watch. Too one dimensional, too scripted.

There were numerous “other” stories at this U.S. Open besides Clark’s win. What was your favourite?

Deeks: The fact that Joaquin Niemann finished T-7 at one over par, despite an opening 78 that included a two-stroke penalty.  And Rory giving us hope of a revival on the front nine on Saturday, only to falter on the back nine and, apparently, lose intertest the rest of the way.  And Tom Kim (who he?) hanging around like a pesky little brother and finishing third all by himself.  And Scottie Scheffler, trying oh-so-hard to achieve his personal Grand Slam, but defied by a balky putter.  It was a great tournament!  Now on to the best of ‘em all… the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale!

Loughry: The vets hanging around late into Sunday, and a pretty good leaderboard overall. Was it me or did Rai have the quietest week ever to finish T11, I don’t think I saw him hit a shot? I think it was a full test of golf, some power, but experience, patience, and course management still have a real place. And the US Open demands and requires it.

Schurman: I was close to not watching the front 9 on Sunday. With Clarke out by such a huge number, I thought if he shot even or under, the event would be over. I’m glad I watched the entire round. He was miraculous to save the round from catastrophe. He made a great choice to use a heavy putter on greens that were 13. Light on slow, heavy on fast.  Another story was Burn’s comeback. His day will come.

Quinn: It was fun to see the young amateurs playing so well, the 17-yr-old putting his dad on the bag for his final hole on Father’s Day, and watching Rahm and DeChambeau not adapt to reality during their LIV hiatus. All in all, an entertaining final round that had shaped up as a boring multi-stroke win.

Mumford: It surprised me that so many big names missed the cut, particularly several prominent LIV players. I have a theory that the longer they LIV, the worse they’ll be in majors. They can practice all they want but LIV events don’t mean anything other than money. There’s no legacy, no history, not even any real bragging rights. So, when faced with a serious title on the line, they’re not prepared and they fold. If Rahm and DeChambeau were still on the PGA Tour, they’re top 10 in the world, prepped for majors and bagging some. They may disprove my theory next month at Birkdale, but I think it may be a long while before we see a Livver win a major.