U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

June 15, 2026

Wyndham Clark

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are here with 2023 champion Wyndham Clark. Talk a little bit about your form coming into this week.

WYNDHAM CLARK: A lot better than last year. No, it's been feeling really good. I've been starting to really putt good, and the swing has been kind of trending all year. I'm excited to be here playing some good golf.

Q. Obviously third time you've come back as a champion. What does it mean to you to do that?

WYNDHAM CLARK: It's amazing. Being a major champion is one of the greatest things in golf, and to come back, to feel that and be in the champions locker room is really neat, and coming back to this great championship is something that always kind of reminds me of that amazing year in '23.

Q. You didn't love the way you left Oakmont last year. What have you learned over the past year?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah, that was a really challenging time and something I've deeply regretted and feel awful that I did that. But there were so many good lessons in that that really taught me a bunch. I've really come a long way, and I'm excited for this year's Open for some redemption and to move forward and enjoy the challenges of Shinnecock and how great this place is and how amazing this championship is.

Q. What part of your game do you think has to be flawless to do really well here?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Gosh, for me specifically, I feel like anytime I'm in the fairway, I can play some really good golf. I know it's a little bit wider off the tee, which I'm excited about.

But then I'd say the biggest challenge at Shinnecock is the greens. So you have to really be in the right places. The second thing I'd say is probably your speed putting. If you can eliminate kind of the three-putts or leaving yourself really challenging putts, I think that's the person that's going to have the most success.

Q. How about the wind today? Was it a good test for a practice round for you?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Yeah. The one thing today is I actually didn't do a practice round. I came in earlier and did some work. This wind is not the normal wind, so if there's any day to -- any time to take a day off, it was today, because I think the normal wind is down off the left on one. It's more of the southwest wind.

The wind is always a challenge here, and that's kind of what everyone talks about. I'm just happy I didn't have to play today, so it would be something different.

These greens with wind, it's going to be a real challenge, and I think whoever is patient -- you're going to miss some putts that maybe you normally would make, but you also might make some. You're just going to have to handle the punches that shin cork is going to give you and stay really patient out here.

Q. You mentioned you played a practice round; just wondering your reaction to the golf course and if you had watched anything about the golf course in the past.

WYNDHAM CLARK: Well, when I first played it, we had an amazing day. It was blowing less than five miles an hour. It was beautiful. Got to play with a member here who's a buddy of mine. It was just really special. I loved it.

Of course watching Brooks that year was amazing. Then you go back to Retief winning and Corey Pavin, there's been some awesome champions here.

I personally love this place because I grew up at Cherry Hills, and that's a William Flynn course. So is Shinnecock. There's even little connections that way. Already before I came here, I was already excited to play it just because of that connection.