Wyndham Clark, a one-time champion of the US Open, faced criticism for an outburst during the final round of the PGA Championship that nearly endangered a volunteer marshall. After a disappointing three-putt bogey on the 15th hole, Clark stepped to the tee at the 16th, one of Quail Hollow’s renowned ‘Green Mile’ holes. Frustrated with his performance, he aggressively threw his club backward without paying attention, resulting in the club smashing into an advertising hoarding and breaking.
The incident narrowly avoided injuring a nearby marshall, prompting social media users to call for Clark’s disqualification—an option that is generally reserved for severe breaches of conduct, such as in tennis, but is rarely applied in golf contexts. While the PGA Tour or USGA enforcement actions are typically not disclosed, Clark may still face a fine for his conduct.
Following the outburst, Clark continued to struggle, bogeying the 16th and ultimately finishing with a 3-over 74, placing him tied for 50th. His actions have raised eyebrows particularly among sponsors, as the broken sign bore the logo of US telecommunications giant T-Mobile, a brand he represents.
In contrast to Clark’s volatile finish, world number one Scottie Scheffler showcased skill by clinching the championship with a five-stroke lead, securing his third major title. Earlier, Jon Rahm appeared poised to challenge for the title but suffered a dramatic and unexpected collapse across the final three holes, playing them five-over to end in a tie for eighth at two-over 73.
Reflecting on his performance, Rahm expressed frustration at the disappointing finish, especially given that he had played well throughout the day and held a share of the lead at one point. Recognising the challenges of the game, he took a philosophical approach, stating, “It’s not like I’m a doctor or a first responder, where truly bad things happen on a bad day.” Despite the disappointment, Rahm emphasised the need to move past it and learn from the experience.