Long Island golf fans faced criticism for their behavior during the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, with some players and commentators calling out the hostile environment. Eamon Lynch, a longtime golf reporter, suggested the PGA of America should reconsider hosting future majors at Bethpage, stating, 'These people do not deserve a major championship.' His comments followed incidents where fans were ejected for berating Wyndham Clark, the eventual winner, during his final round on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler, Clark's playing partner, also noted the crowd's intensity, saying, 'The crowd was tough today... sometimes it can get a little too much.' Lynch proposed adopting stricter rules similar to those at Augusta National, where phone use and disruptive behavior are prohibited.
Clark, who embraced his underdog role, acknowledged the crowd's opposition but focused on his victory. 'They definitely didn't want me to win,' he said. 'That was tough, but sometimes being the underdog is nice.' Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy faced heckling from a fan during his round, responding with a pointed gesture after the fan shouted, 'Bunker, get in the bunker!' The fan was filming the interaction, highlighting the role of social media in amplifying such incidents.
The crowd's behavior was described as the most hostile in recent memory, with fans cheering for Clark's mistakes and booing his successful shots. Despite the challenges, Clark secured his second U.S. Open title.