Adversity Fuels US Open Champion.

Jul 6

The 128th U.S. Open was one to remember in 2023. Golf fans of all ages had their pick of multiple favorites to win this year's tournament. Some of those favorites were veterans Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler. Fowler and McIlroy were both ranked top 20 on the PGA tour. After the first 18 were played, it looked like the veteran Rickie Fowler would have a shot at winning his tenth major tournament of his career as Fowler was the first player to record ten birdies in the first round and he was one of three golfers to shoot 62 in a major tournament.

At the End of day 2, it was Fowler who was still on top in a battle with the California native Xander Schauffele. The two went back and forth jostling for position. At the end of 36 holes it was Fowler who was tied for first and McIlroy/Schauffele who were tied for third who were both two strokes behind the front runner in Fowler.

There was a name in between Fowler that many PGA fans were not familiar with. This golfer was Wyndham Clark who was one stroke behind Rickie Fowler at the end of round 2. The 29 year old currently had one professional tournament win before going into the US Open.

The Denver, Colorado native attended Valor Christian High School but got his start at Oklahoma State before transferring to Pac-12 athletic power Oregon University where he was named the 2017 Ben Hogan Award Finalist, the 2017 Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Semifinalist and conference accolades of Pac 12 player of the year (2016), Pac 12 April Golfer of the month and All Pac 12 first team. Throughout his college career his mother who was his hero growing up passed away. While at Oklahoma State, the head coach granted him medical hardship. This granted him eligibility where he chose to take his talent to Eugene.

Oregon head coach Casey Martin said this about Clark “You’re good enough to play on this stage but also in college and win”. Wyndham Clark then became the 128th US Open Champion in 2023. He credits his mentors and God towards his second major championship.