The New York fans at the U.S. Open made no secret about their desire to have Scottie Scheffler beat out Wyndham Clark in the final round of the U.S. Open.
Unfortunately for the crowd, Clark was well-equipped to handle the rough treatment Sunday thanks to his experience last week in Canada.
Clark, who just held on to a six-stroke lead to go wire-to-wire for a second U.S. Open win, became a villain last week at the RBC Canadian Open when he bought a Team USA Jack Hughes jersey from a fan in the crowd and wore it on the Rink Hole in the third round in Caledon, Ont.
From that point on, Canadian fans also were rooting against Clark.
The Denver native said the Canadian Open experience was beneficial on Sunday.
"I was kind of making jokes about it with (caddie) Dave (Pelekoudas), where if we heard someone cheer for me, I'd go 'oh, there's one person that likes me.' So we would kind of make jokes and make it maybe a little light-hearted," Clark told reporters after the final round.
"But it's tough, man. I've played now a Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup on foreign soil, and it kind of had that atmosphere a little bit.
"I also got good prep last week in Canada. They were pretty harsh on me the last day, so I think that all of that combined kind of led to this moment where, all right, I've been in this position. It sucks being the underdog or getting rooted against, but I can pull through, and there's nothing like winning kind of an away game, if you will."
After Friday's round at the U.S. Open, Clark said he felt some Canadian fans "crossed the line."
The hockey theme continued after the tourney when Clark's hometown Colorado Avalanche congratulated him for the victory.
Several fans were kicked out during the final round, NBC reported on the broadcast with shouts including 'Get in the bunker'.
Scheffler ended up four shots behind Clark.
"I mean, New Yorkers, they are tough people," Scheffler said. "There was a good turnout from the fans. You like seeing the fans cheer for you. I think sometimes it can get a little too much when, you know, balls are kind of going off greens and you start hearing cheers."
