Wyndham Clark is getting used to winning without having the crowd on his side.
The two-time major champion captured the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in dramatic fashion, adding another victory to a season that has pushed him firmly into the Player of the Year conversation. But while Clark walked away with the trophy, he wasn’t necessarily the player most fans in St. Louis wanted to see holding it.
Clark entered the final round with a sizable advantage before watching his lead disappear as Rory McIlroy made a charge. With the crowd firmly behind McIlroy, Clark responded by birdieing each of his final three holes to reclaim control and secure the victory.
“I always felt like I needed to just get my nose ahead to really try to put the pressure on Wyndham, and I couldn’t,” McIlroy said.
“We were tied there for a few holes, and then when he made that putt on 16 for two and I couldn’t answer, that was obviously a huge moment in the round and in the tournament.”
Embracing His Villain Era
GettyWyndham Clark of the United States plays a shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 21, 2026.
Clark has become increasingly aware of his reputation among golf fans. According to PGA Tour, earlier in the week, he joked about playing the villain by saying, “Darth Vader had more fun.”
Clark acknowledged on Sunday that some fans actually cheered when he hit poor shots. Rather than criticize the St. Louis gallery, however, Clark understood why McIlroy received most of the support.
“They still treated me great,” Clark said. “I just think, I mean, Rory’s earned the right to be a fan favorite. So, you know, I embraced it.”
It isn’t an entirely unfamiliar situation for Clark.
At the U.S. Open earlier this summer, Clark found himself in an even more hostile environment while trying to protect a six-shot advantage. With Scottie Scheffler chasing both Clark and a career Grand Slam, spectators were eager to see the tournament tighten up.
“I hope I don’t become the heel of the PGA,” Clark said in June. “I guess if I am, any press is good press, right?”
Clark revealed this weekend that he heard negative comments directed toward him during the BMW Championship.
“Anytime someone said something negative to me, I replaced it with something positive,” Clark said. “You know, some of it’s self-deserved. I kind of brought it on myself, but I also get it, too.”
Some of that fan reaction has followed Clark since the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he damaged two lockers after missing the cut. Clark apologized multiple times for the incident, but it became part of the public perception he has been trying to change.
Winning as the Underdog
GettyWyndham Clark of the United States poses with the winner’s trophy and J.K. Wadley trophy after winning the BMW Championship 2026 at Bellerive Country Club on August 23.
Clark’s latest victory was the sixth of his PGA Tour career, and Clark can point to several occasions when the crowd’s preferred winner was standing on the other side.
He defeated Xander Schauffele at Quail Hollow and famously held off McIlroy and Rickie Fowler to win his first U.S. Open. Even his 2024 victory at Pebble Beach came under unusual circumstances, with weather forcing the tournament to end after 54 holes.
“I know everyone maybe gives me a hard time and roots for other people, but I feel like I’ve kind of come into my own,” Clark said. “Three wins in one season is my best year yet. Coming off my worst year ever.
“Yeah, I’m just really pleased where I’m at right now.”
Clark Is Headed to the Presidents Cup
GettyMain entrance to the course during the first preview day of The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Golf Club on September 24, 2012.
The win secured Clark an automatic qualifying spot for the United States Presidents Cup team at Medinah, giving him an opportunity to represent his country on home soil.
And after spending multiple tournaments listening to galleries cheer for his opponents, Clark is expecting the Presidents Cup crowd to finally be firmly behind him.
“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,” Clark joked.
He will play for U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker, who will go head-to-head with International Team captain Geoff Ogilvy. The Americans will be looking to extend their dominance in the event after winning each of the last 10 Presidents Cups.
Six automatic qualifying spots were finalized following the BMW Championship. Besides Clark, those include: Scheffler, Cameron Young, Sam burns, Russell Henley, Collin Morikawa.
Snedeker will eventually round out his 12-man roster with six captain’s selections.
The International side isn’t finalized yet. Its six automatic qualifiers will be determined after the TOUR Championship, with the top six eligible players in the Official World Golf Ranking earning spots before Ogilvy makes six captain’s selections.
Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim and Adam Scott were occupying the top six positions entering the final stretch of qualification, giving Ogilvy the foundation of what could be a dangerous International roster.
“As long as you make the team, it doesn’t matter if you’re No. 1 or 12,” Clark said.
Wyndham Clark Responds to Rough Fan Treatment After Another Big Win