SouthernWorldwide.com – Wyndham Clark, a prominent figure in Team USA, has stirred the pot at the RBC Canadian Open by playfully referencing a past Olympic defeat to Canada, much to the chagrin of the local crowd.
Clark, known for his recent triumph at the U.S. Open, decided to make a statement on his way to the 14th tee box. He donned a jersey belonging to Jack Hughes, a player whose “golden goal” had previously secured victory for Team USA over Canada in the Olympics. This move was clearly aimed at provoking the Canadian fans.
As anticipated, the crowd in attendance responded with a chorus of boos directed at the Denver native. Clark, however, seemed to relish the negative reaction, turning around and pointing to the jersey as a deliberate provocation.
He removed the jersey before taking his tee shot, but the boos resumed immediately after he struck the ball. This was in stark contrast to the usual cheers golfers receive after a shot, highlighting the specific nature of Clark’s taunt.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, Clark managed to silence the crowd temporarily. His tee shot landed mere feet from the hole on the 134-yard par-3, a remarkable feat. However, the quiet was short-lived.
Clark promptly put the Hughes jersey back on for his walk to the green, and the boos once again echoed around the course. He continued to wear the jersey as he approached the green.
The golfer proceeded to sink a birdie putt, moving him to 9-under par for the tournament. Even as the ball dropped into the hole, the boos persisted. In a humorous gesture, Clark playfully tipped his cap and saluted the disgruntled Canadian audience.
The 2023 U.S. Open champion demonstrated his continued strong form by birdieing the 15th and 18th holes as well, bringing his total to 11-under. At the time of this report, Clark was positioned in second place in the standings.
He appears ready to embrace the role of an antagonist as he aims to secure the championship title on Sunday. A victory would further solidify his impressive streak of performances, following his win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May.
