Wyndham Clark, Mike Tirico, NBC Come Out As Winners at the U.S. Open

1. New Yorkers were not kind to Wyndham Clark on Sunday while he was winning his second U.S. Open. In addition to already not liking Clark, fans wanted to see Scottie Scheffler complete the career grand slam.

Those in attendance were not shy about being vocal and letting Clark know they did not want him to win the major.

I get Wyndham Clark isn't so popular, Scottie Scheffler is, he'd win the Grand Slam etc etc

And that some fans just want to see a contest, but the jeers for Clark, an American leading his national championship, just don't sit right with mepic.twitter.com/2QYcdZB1QB
— Paul Higham (@SportsPaulH) June 21, 2026

The crowd are very loud everytime Wyndham Clark makes a mistake now at the US Open. The lead is just 1 with 11 holes remaining. pic.twitter.com/5XOQQ1g385
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) June 21, 2026

Three things struck me about this entire scene.

First, Mike Tirico showed how good he is at his job by the way he worded his question to Clark during the post-match interview. Instead of saying, “What did it feel like to get jeered by the crowd,” Tirico asked, “Where did you find the toughness and focus, even though you didn’t have the momentum behind you with a lot of the crowd cheers, to kind of still persevere and keep your focus and keep getting it done?” Tirico’s question led to Clark saying, “New York didn’t really like me. I love you guys. But, you know, I get it.”

Wyndham Clark was all class when asked about not being the fan favorite in the final group 👏

📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/AuyQ8dfBlN
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 21, 2026

Second, I don’t know how you couldn’t have been impressed by how Clark handled the crowd rooting against him. He was excellent in his interview with Tirico. He was even better in his post-match press conference.

🚨😳🏆 #WATCH — U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark compared the fan reception at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday to playing an away Ryder Cup.

Do you agree with his assessment? pic.twitter.com/thlhFMiO09
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 22, 2026

Lastly, despite the crowd being anti-Clark, NBC couldn’t have gotten a better moment than Clark being surprised by his dad on the 18th green on Father’s Day.

Wyndham Clark had no idea that his dad took a redeye and was going to be at Shinnecock to see his son win the US Open on Father’s Day

What a moment pic.twitter.com/Dm1S1Rrv6X
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 21, 2026

2. Sports Business Journal reports that Rece Davis will join ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage as a studio host. This is a smart move by ESPN. Davis is one of those people on sports television who automatically elevates an event and gives a “big game” (or in this case, “big match”) feel.

3. There wasn’t a bigger story on social media last week than First Take contributor Vince Goodwill saying the Larry O’Brien Trophy was a “participation trophy.” Yet, I’m supposed to believe that Stephen A. Smith, who IS First Take, didn’t know that Goodwill made those comments? Something ain’t right here.

Stephen A. Smith assumed it was Mad Dog who referred to the Larry O'Brien Trophy as a participation trophy pic.twitter.com/UMurOiZQHm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 22, 2026

4. I’ve seen so many people on social media ripping this Phillies fan who, after catching a home run ball, threw one he had brought with him into the stadium back onto the field.

Personally, I think it’s a genius plan because this way he gets to keep the real souvenir.