2023 U.S. Open: Wyndham Clark holds off Rory McIlroy to win 1st major
Clark beats McIlroy by one shot for his maiden championship after making the cut for his first time at the tournament. McIlroy's majors drought now stands at 33 tournaments.
Golf
Wyndham Clark won golf's 123rd U.S. Open for his first career major championship on Sunday (19 June) at Los Angeles Country Club.
Clark held off Rory McIlroy, who was trying to end a nine-year majors drought, by a single shot for a 10-under 270 total after carding an even-par 70 in the final round.
Scottie Scheffler finished third a further two strokes back with Cameron Smith right on his heel in fourth with a 274.
"I just feel like I've worked so hard and dreamed about this moment for so long," Clark said. "There's so many times I've visualised being here in front of you guys in this championship.
"I just feel like it was my time."
Clark seized a virtual one-on-one with four-time major champion McIlroy - whose dry-spell at the majors is now at 33 tournaments - down the stretch to cap what turned out to be a fairytale weekend.
The 29-year-old had made the cut in only two majors before, having never fared better than a tie for 75th in a major championship. He produced his first victory on the PGA Tour just five weeks ago at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Clark is the fourth player in the last 100 years to win the U.S. Open the first time making the cut at the competition.