When the dust settled after two disappointing rounds at the 2025 U.S. Open, it wasn’t just Wyndham Clark’s scorecard making headlines. The defending champion’s early exit from Oakmont, after shooting back-to-back 74s and bogeying the 18th hole to miss the cut by a single stroke, was quickly overshadowed by what came next: a fury-filled outburst behind closed doors. Damaged locker doors, splintered panels, and circulating images of wreckage from Oakmont’s hallowed player area ignited a firestorm online. The alleged culprit? Clark himself. And for nearly a week, he said nothing.

But standing before the media at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, Clark finally addressed the incident that’s haunted the news cycle since Oakmont. “I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows,” he said. “I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened.”

Without denying the reports, Clark owned up to the damage done, emotionally and physically, and pivoted his focus toward redemption. “I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedExCup. So, I’m starting to move on and focus on those things.” The apology came across as heartfelt, but not everyone is ready to move on with him. Oakmont, one of the most revered venues in golf, definitely doesn’t take kindly to tantrums, especially not ones that leave a physical mark on its iconic clubhouse.

Reactions across the golf world have been mixed. 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell expressed disappointment but cautioned against overreacting, noting that while such outbursts aren’t acceptable, “private moments in locker rooms shouldn’t always be public spectacles.” Online, however, patience was in short supply. Golf fans were quick to pile on Clark, calling for suspensions, fines, and apologies not just to Oakmont but to the game itself. And now the question looms: What consequences will Clark face?

What’s next for Wyndham Clark after Oakmont?

In 2024, Tom Kim damaged a locker at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea after a playoff loss. He apologized and offered to pay for repairs. The KPGA gave him a warning but avoided further punishment. Clark may face a similar fate. However, this isn’t his first offense. At the 2025 PGA Championship, he hurled his driver into a sponsor board after a poor tee shot—nearly hitting a volunteer. That time, too, he apologized.

While no fine was publicly issued then, precedent exists: a PGA Tour pro once told Golf Digest he was fined $2,500 just for swearing. If that’s the baseline, Clark could be in line for a financial penalty, or worse. For now, the USGA remains silent. But if the locker room walls could talk, they’d likely say what fans already are: This is definitely not a good look on Clark.