​Wyndham Clark heads into this week’s Open Championship with the explicit goal of adding a third major title to his resume. The 32-year-old has enjoyed a standout season, already collecting two wins including a maiden major at the US Open. After a challenging 2024 and 2025, 2026 has represented a strong comeback for Clark, who now stands as a genuine candidate for PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Clark’s US Open triumph was especially memorable because of the obstacles he faced from the galleries throughout the week at Shinnecock Hills. He endured significant abuse, yet he still produced the performance that earned him his second US Open trophy, delivering a payoff that felt as cathartic as it was vindicating. As he prepares for his second major appearance in as many weeks, this time at Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open Championship, the atmosphere promises to be markedly different for the two-time major winner.
Speaking with the media on Monday, Clark was asked how playing in front of British crowds compares with American fans. “Oh, they’re the best,” he replied. “I think any golfer will tell you they love playing over here. The fans respect the game, respect the players, and they truly understand golf. If you find yourself in a tough spot and choose the prudent, smart play, they clap and recognize a great shot, even if it’s only 20 feet. So, I really enjoy the fans over here.”
Given his popularity, Clark is expected to receive even more support at Birkdale this week than he did at Shinnecock Hills last month, a contrast that many would classify as remarkable in its own right. The Open at Royal Birkdale, with its storied history and demanding conditions, could prove to be a different kind of test for him, but Clark arrives with confidence and a track record that suggests he can contend at golf’s oldest major.
In other Open-related discussions on Monday, English veteran Tommy Fleetwood addressed questions about fan behavior at major championships. When asked about policing the enthusiastic crowds—especially at events as highly attended as the US Open—Fleetwood acknowledged the balance required. He noted that while organizers strive to create an electric, welcoming atmosphere and ensure equal opportunity for all players, controlling the behavior of hundreds of thousands of spectators is an immense challenge. Fleetwood emphasized his generally positive experiences with the Open atmospheres and suggested that, in his view, the best Opens in the northwest have produced some of the finest crowds and most memorable atmospheres he’s witnessed. He expressed optimism that this week’s Open would mirror that standard, bringing a strong, supportive environment for all players to thrive.