Earl's Recent Past Golf Blog's
June 22, 2026
Validation comes with two!
p>
Winning one U.S. Open is a remarkable accomplishment. Winning a second validates that achievement and confirms a player's place among the game's elite.
Wyndham Clark has now earned the distinction of being a two-time U.S. Open champion. His opening-round 64 at Shinnecock Hills was a brilliant display of shot-making and putting on a day when many of the world's best players struggled simply to stay within striking distance. From that point forward, Clark faced the challenge of protecting a lead while navigating the peculiarities of one of golf's most demanding venues. In the end, he proved to be the strongest competitor and the last man standing.
As I watched Clark throughout the week, I was struck by his similarities to another two-time U.S. Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau. To me, Clark is a mini version of Bryson—strong, aggressive, and highly mechanical in his approach to the game. Both players make golf look difficult, as if every component of their swings, short game and putting must be perfectly aligned for success.
After the second round, Clark's ball-striking became somewhat inconsistent. He appeared to take longer deciding and preparing for his shots, leading at times to indecision, missed fairways, and missed greens. What ultimately carried him to victory was an exceptional short game and superb putting. Maintaining that level of touch and concentration under U.S. Open pressure requires tremendous mental fortitude. This week, Clark was simply the best.
Through his PGA Tour career, Clark has not been considered an elite putter. However, during his victory at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, he enjoyed an extraordinary week on the greens. Following that win, his swing mechanics deteriorated somewhat, and with them, the confidence that fueled his putting success. A new coach helped restore his swing, and after experimenting with several putters, he appears to have found a putter and stroke that suits him again.
Statistically, many Tour players experience six-week stretches when every part of their game comes together. Clark, with his win in Dallas and high finishes the past two weeks, appears to be in one of those periods. Following his win at LACC, his performance level declined before eventually rebounding this year. My prediction is that he will once again settle back somewhat—not dramatically, but enough to remain just below the sustained high level of players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Great putters tend to remain consistently effective. Average Tour putters tend to run hot and cold. Wyndham is due to cool off a bit.
The USGA should be very pleased with this year's championship. There was no controversy surrounding the course setup, and a winning score of four-under par demonstrated that the course did not need to be artificially toughened to provide a stern test. Weather, as always, was the unpredictable factor and played a significant role throughout the week, particularly during the opening round.
Luck is always part of the U.S. Open experience. Favorable bounces, playable lies in the fescue, and fortunate breaks can influence the outcome. It certainly seemed that Clark enjoyed his share of good fortune during the week. But his victory was about more than luck—it was about capitalizing on opportunities when they presented themselves and executing under pressure when it mattered most.
The stars have aligned twice for Wyndham Clark. Will it happen again? If it does, it wouldn't be luck!
June12, 2026
Let Shinnecock be Shinnecock
Shinnecock Hills Golf Course is one of America's greatest golf courses and an ideal setting for a US Open. Located on the east end of Long Island the course more resembles a Scottish links course than the traditional American design with many trees and water hazards. Because of the sparsity of trees and proximity to the ocean, the course is susceptible to ever changing wind conditions that can change by the hour. Winning at Shinnecock will be a mental challenge as much as a test of ball striking ability.
The last two U.S. Opens at Shinnecock in 2004 and 2018, became less about who won and more about whether the USGA had crossed the line between "challenging" and "unfair." In 04, the first controversy centered on the seventh green, which became so dry and fast that players could not keep balls on the putting surface. Kevin Stadler barely touched a fifteen-foot putt that rolled off the green into a bunker. Well-struck shots were rolling off the green, and course officials were forced to water the green during play. The entire course conditions were widely criticized as unplayable, and the USGA later acknowledged it had lost control of the setup. In 2018, history repeated itself during the third round. As winds increased and greens dried out, afternoon players faced dramatically different conditions than the morning groups. Balls would not hold on certain greens, some pin positions became nearly impossible, and players openly questioned the fairness of the setup. USGA Executive Director Mike Davis publicly admitted that "well-executed shots" were being punished and apologized for the conditions.
I was fortunate to play Shinnecock in 2000. At that time, I had the length and game to properly test a US Open course. Playing from the back tees, Shinnecock was everything you would want for a national championship and in my opinion, nothing was needed to prepare it for the Championship in four years. I was also able to attend the Open in 2004 and witnessed first-hand the best players at times being humiliated with impossible pin and green circumstances. Unfortunately, the USGA didn't learn from 2004 and in 2018 similar criticisms occurred. The most public display of frustration occurred when Phil Mickleson putted and then swatted at and hit his moving ball on the 13th green that was headed well off the green. I hope nothing like that will occur this next week.
I have faith in the USGA. They rarely make mistakes and if so, they don't repeat them. Shinnecock is in my top ten courses that I have played. It doesn't need to be tricked up. I have read that the USGA will "let Shinnecock be Shinnecock". That's great news. Greens will be between 11 and 11 ½ on the Stimp reading, which is very fair. Previously putting there was "defensive". At 11 Stimp speed the players can be a bit more aggressive. The USGA can't regulate "Mother Nature" and it can be the determining factor in deciding a winner. Here's hoping "let Shinnecock be Shinnecock" will be the rule of the week and if so, we should have a great tournament and worthy champion.
