Why U.S. Open fans were kicked out for booing Wyndham Clark at Shinnecock Hills originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Wyndham Clark's journey in the 2026 U.S. Open includes battling the fans at Shinnecock Hills in New York.

While Clark was the tournament's leader for the entire of the weekend, the fans were not that excited about him being in a position to win another U.S. Open. In fact, in an effort to try and get in Clark's head, fans heckled him throughout the day on Sunday.

That backfired for those fans, as many of them were ultimately kicked out of the event altogether. It's rare to see an American golfer so thoroughly jeered throughout the U.S. Open, but Clark's reputation led to him essentially playing a road U.S. Open.

Here's why fans booed Wyndham Clark during the U.S. Open.

MORE: Wyndham Clark timeline of controversies

Clark has become one of the least-liked players on the PGA Tour due to a variety of controversies in his career. Most notably, Clark was banned from Oakmont for damaging the locker room after missing the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open, which was in the middle of a poor stretch of golf for the 2023 U.S. Open winner.

A year later, Clark's game is in a much better spot, but his reputation is still poor amongst fans. At Shinnecock Hills, fans were clearly rooting against Clark as he held a huge lead on Sunday afternoon.

A bunch of fans were kicked out of the event for jeering Clark during the final round.

Cops are booting people for shouting “Don’t choke Wyndham!” as he sets up to his shot. This young man got bounced for saying it before Clark’s tee shot at No. 4 pic.twitter.com/M1d1ZO687u

“Let’s go Wyndham!” yells one man in the 14th tee/9 green grandstand.

He was promptly booed.

Additionally, fans cheered loudly anytime another golfer made a move up the leaderboard, while there were more muted cheers whenever Clark made a big shot.

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

Clark brushed off the jeering in his post-tournament interview.

This was expertly handled pic.twitter.com/WXVfZGHGdg

MORE: Revisiting Wyndham Clark's 2025 U.S. Open incident

Clark's biggest controversial incident came at the 2025 U.S. Open, when he damaged Oakmont's locker room after missing another major cut.

https://t.co/DdClg8952Upic.twitter.com/b1bkezlT9B

Clark later apologized for the incident, but Oakmont ended up banning him from the club and requiring him to apply for reinstatement to return.

Elsewhere, at the 2025 PGA Championship, Burns threw a club after a bad tee shot, luckily avoiding any fans.

This is some absolute clown stuff from Wyndham Clark pic.twitter.com/UYAH0fFTXA

Once again, Clark would apologize for his actions.

pic.twitter.com/v28eV96q3s

Wyndham Clark captured his second US Open title after a back-nine battle on Sunday, holding off Sam Burns for a wire-to-wire triumph at blustery Shinnecock.

Clark, whose other major crown came at the 2023 US Open, fired a three-over par 73 to finish 72 holes on four-under 276 and defeat fellow American Burns by one stroke.

"Pretty amazing," Clark said. "It's surreal to be honest."

Clark began the day with a six-shot lead, saw it shrink to a single stroke as he struggled early, then grinded through the back nine.

"I played some ugly golf the last two days, but my putter and short game kept me in it," Clark said.

"It comes down to just believing good things are going to happen and you're going to make the putt. And fortunately the ones that I needed to make I did."

Clark sank a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-five 16th after finding deep rough off the tee then overcame a bogey at 17 with a two-putt par from 52 feet at 18 for the triumph.

"It has been a grind. I haven't played the prettiest golf so I’ve been into some pretty sketchy spots. So I felt actually kind of comfortable over there," Clark said of the rough at 16.

"To make birdie there was honestly a bonus. I just wanted to make par. I mean that was one of the bigger ones I hit today."

Clark became only the ninth wire-to-wire US Open winner and the first since Germany's Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst in 2014.

Clark celebrated on Father's Day with a hug from his dad Randall, who flew in Sunday to surprise him.

"That was a shock," Clark said. "My dad hasn't been to many events. For him to be here in person is amazing."

Clark captured the record top prize of $4.5 million from a $22.5 million purse, but the effort had greater meaning as well.

The 32-year-old said it was a way to help him erase the bad feelings over smashing a locker at Oakmont after missing the cut in last year's US Open.

"This one was a lot of redemption. Last year was so tough. A terrible year," Clark said. "It's amazing what a year can do."

Clark was heckled by fans, the US Golf Association confirming that some spectators were removed from the course for unacceptable conduct.

"New York didn't really like me," he said. "I love you guys. But I get it. Some of it is self-deserved. I did some unfortunate things last year that I really regret ... hopefully I can win you guys over eventually."

Burns was second on 277 after a closing 67 with South Korean Tom Kim third on 279 after a 70.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler fired a 71 to share fourth on 280 with fellow Americans Keith Mitchell and JT Poston.

- 'Today it's my day' -

Scheffler, a four-time major winner, would have completed a career Grand Slam with a victory on his 30th birthday, and Clark said that also contributed to the fan sentiment in favor of his playing partner.

"I get it. They root for Scottie," he said. "Grand Slams only happen a few times.

"He's going to get it. He's the best player in the world," Clark added. "But today it's my day."

Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters was the only golfer to ever lose a major after leading by six or more through 54 holes, but Clark made things tense for a while.

Clark had three bogeys on the front nine while Burns charged with birdies on four of the first eight holes and pulled within one stroke.

"I knew it was going to take something special," Burns said. "Got off to a dream start."

He stayed within one after a birdie at the par-five 16th then dropped to his knees after a 16-foot birdie miss at 18.

"I honestly thought I made it, but just the way it goes," Burns said. "I'm sure when I close my eyes tonight I may see that putt again."

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Washington’s Case Alexander committed to the Penn State football program Sunday as he chose the Nittany Lions over Kansas State, OU and Texas Tech. 

A 6-foot-3 and 215-pounder in the 2027 class, Alexander is a four-star prospect and the nation's 22nd-ranked linebacker prospect in his grade, according to 247Sports Composite. 

He helped Washington finish as the Class 2A-I state runner-up this past season while recording 114 tackles, including 20 for loss, and three sacks before being named The Oklahoman's Little All-City Defensive Player of the Year.

Also a standout tight end for the Warriors, Alexander — who was No. 8 on The Oklahoman's initial Super 30 rankings of the state's top recruits in the 2027 class — was the team’s top pass catching threat as he finished with 37 receptions for 717 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Alexander is the son of former OU and NFL tight end Stephen Alexander and younger brother of Penn State tight end Cooper Alexander, who was at Iowa State in 2024 and 2025 before transferring. 

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Penn State football lands Case Alexander in 2027 PSU recruiting class

Lakers should trade for $88 million former Luka Doncic teammate with 373 career starts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a crucial offseason after another disappointing playoff exit in 2026.

Though the future of LeBron James will dominate headlines in Los Angeles this offseason, president and general manager Rob Pelinka should put building around Luka Doncic as the No. 1 priority.

Despite missing the Lakers' playoff run due to a hamstring injury, Doncic is coming off another spectacular year in which he led the NBA in scoring at 33.5 points per game and showed he is still one of the best players in the world.

According to multiple reports from The Athletic's Sam Amick and Dan Woike, the Lakers are "on the clock" with Doncic, meaning they need to build a contender around the 27-year-old before he starts evaluating other options for his career.

Basically, Doncic is putting pressure on Los Angeles to construct a roster around him that plays to his strengths and helps him compete for a title. With that in mind, the Lakers should call the Dallas Mavericks and look to pull off a trade for a former teammate of Doncic's who has nearly 400 games of starting experience.

In an article detailing underrated trade targets for the summer, Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz mentioned Mavs forward P.J. Washington.

Washington averaged 14.2 points and 7 rebounds per game this past season.

"The Dallas Mavericks should be open for business this summer, with Flagg likely the only untouchable player on the roster. It's unclear if PJ Washington and Naji Marshall, both acquired in the Luka Dončić era, still fit on this Cooper Flagg timeline," Swartz wrote.

Washington had a ton of success playing with Doncic in Dallas, especially during the franchise's 2024 NBA finals run. Washington was a valuable defender during that run, and also stretched the floor as an elite catch-and-shoot player.

Though Washington's three-point shooting regressed a bit in 2025, the Kentucky product is still a fantastic 3-and-D wing who also has the versatility to play center in a small-ball lineup.

With Rui Hachimura set to hit free agency in the coming weeks, the Lakers could let him walk and trade for Washington to add more shooting and high-level perimeter defense on the wing. Additionally, acquiring Washington would make Doncic very happy, as reports suggest the six-time All-Star would like a roster similar to the 2024 Mavericks.

We'll see whether the Mavs even entertain trade talks on Washington, but given that the franchise is under new leadership with Masai Ujiri taking over as the president, any player could be on the market other than Cooper Flagg.