Angry outbursts are punished by fines by the PGA Tour but the details of these are not disclosed in order to protect players’ images
Graeme McDowell in action at LIV Golf Virginia(Image: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell has back-tracked over his comments on Wyndham Clark’s alleged anger outburst at the US Open.
Pictures emerged over the weekend from Oakmont of the locker room damaged and the No Laying Up golf platform suggested Clark was responsible for the damage to lockers.
Clare, US Open champion in 2023, missed the cut at Oakmont and was one of many players to lose their cool in the punishing conditions and course layout.
No Laying Up’s Tron Carter shared a picture of two busted lockers beside what appeared to be Clark’s Titleist staff bag. Clark and the USGA have refused to comment on the matter.
McDowell, who won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, becoming the first European winner of the event in 40 years, got involved on Twitter/X and suggested other golf figures were guilty of much worse.
“This is minimal regards [to] what I’ve seen other players do,” McDowell stated on X. “Players you would never expect. Oakmont will test any players mental fortitude. Seen it in person. Guess who? 2016.”
The tweet prompted some 500 comments, one from former Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter, who also operates on the LIV tour.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
“I have inflicted severe Locker destruction through the years at US Opens and paid my fines. Generally they have been our temporary build lockers. Not members lockers. Not that that’s an excuse. Generally it’s been when I’ve felt the USGA have pushed the limits over the edge,” said English ace Poulter.
Golf fans then began speculating over the damage McDowell was referring to in 2016 with Shane Lowry a popular response. The Offaly man famously held a four hole lead going into the final round at Oakmont in 2016 but was pipped by Dustin Johnston after a poor final day.
Wyndham Clark holds the trophy after winning the US Open in 2023(Image: AP Photo/Matt York)
McDowell took to Twitter/X again 24 hours later to try to put a lid on the speculation.
“Just to clarify a couple of things from my tweet on Saturday,” he stated. “No, I do not condone that type of behaviour and damaging property in historic sites like Oakmont. I’m sure Wyndham will pay for any damage and apologise to relevant people.
“I also believe sporting locker rooms are a sanctuary and what happens there, should stay there. The part when I said “guess who” was unfair on my part because I would never out a fellow pro in that scenario. What happens in those private sporting areas is not for public consumption in my opinion.”
The US Open was won by JJ Spaun, the only player in the field to finish under par after four rounds.
Frustrations boiled over on numerous occasions during the tournament, with Sky Sports forced to apologise for bad language from players on dozens of occasions. Lowry could clearly be heard to say, ‘F*** this place,” after a short missed putt.
Rory McIlroy threw his clubs away in disgust on multiple occasions and smashed a tee marker after one errant drive.
Such outbursts are punished by fines by the PGA Tour but the details of the punishments are not disclosed in order to protect players’ images. There are calls to make these player conduct violations public.
