‘The media made me out to be the villain’: Wyndham Clark hopes to avoid heckling at the Presidents Cup

Wyndham Clark hopes American fans will support him at the Presidents Cup — and beyond.

As the 2026 Presidents Cup got underway at Medinah, the two-time major champion was still thinking about how spectators treated him at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. In the final round, Clark had to battle not only struggles in his game but also unruly fans, many of whom openly rooted against him as he pursued his second U.S. Open title.

The unusual scene marred a major moment in Clark’s career. GOLF.com writer Kevin Cunningham noted that it was reminiscent of last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage, where American fans’ behavior also cast a shadow over the event.

Questions about the spectators’ treatment of Clark at the U.S. Open followed him to Medinah and this week’s Presidents Cup.

‘It would be nice if people were rooting for me’

After winning the BMW Championship in August, Clark acknowledged that fans had again failed to support him while strongly backing Rory McIlroy on Sunday. He joked at the time: “If I don’t get love at the Presidents Cup, as a USA guy, then I don’t know, I might move to Mexico or something.”

At Wednesday’s pre-tournament press conference, Clark was asked about a lack of fan support during many of his six victories. He said the media had made him out to be “the villain,” although he does not see himself that way, and admitted that he would like fans to root for him at some point.

“I think, if it happened throughout my career, yeah, it would maybe be a bummer because even though I’m maybe — the media has made me out to be the villain, if you will, I don’t feel like I’m that person. Eventually it would be nice if people were rooting for me and someone else was the underdog, if you will,” Clark said.

Clark said American fans in Chicago had treated him well so far this week.

“I always like joking with the media. It’s been amazing. USA fans are the best, especially here in Chicago. We’re getting all love. Since New York, it’s been all love,” he said.

Clark made no prediction about whether that support would continue once the Presidents Cup began in earnest or when he returned to individual events.

“We’ll see. Hopefully things are trending and changing in the right direction,” he said.

Clark names the most passionate U.S. player

Asked about the atmosphere within the U.S. team, Clark said the players were very close.

“One word: close. It’s always funny in the media — they just talk about how our team isn’t as close as Europe. We all grew up together. We’re all really close. There’s constant chatter and bickering back and forth, in a good way. Our team is very close,” Clark said.

When a reporter described Clark as one of the most passionate players on the team, he chose a different candidate: U.S. veteran Justin Thomas.

“JT is probably our most passionate guy, especially during these events. I think it helps. Any time you can bring the crowd and get them involved, you gain that momentum, and momentum is so big in golf. I really want to have a couple of those moments that are just iconic and really bring the team together and get the crowd going. Hopefully that happens this week,” Clark said.

Clark then gave several team superlatives: Scottie Scheffler was the most competitive, Collin Morikawa the best dressed and Xander Schauffele the biggest trash-talker.

Asked which superlative he would give Patrick Cantlay, Clark ribbed his teammate: “Patrick Cantlay — least emotion.”