Wyndham Clark celebrates with the championship trophy after finishing first in the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Wyndham Clark makes history in unprecedented U.S. Open win

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 6/18/23

Wyndham Clark's previous best finish at the U.S. Open before winning the 2023 title was a tie for 75th at the 2021 PGA Championship, making his ascendance to majors champ unprecedented in golf history.

Wyndham Clark's best finish in a major entering this week was T-75 at the 2021 PGA Championship.

That's the worst previous-best finish by a major champion all-time (min. 5 starts).

Louis Oosthuizen previously held that distinction (best major finish: 73rd entering 2010 Open).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 19, 2023

Clark was even-keeled throughout Sunday's final round, outlasting Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Richie Fowler by relying on a phenomenal short game to win his first major.

He had multiple big saves for par, perhaps none bigger — or more improbable — than the one on No. 11.

Nipped it

Big par save from @Wyndham_Clark at No. 11. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ap1VRUERcP
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

Clark's consistent approach and steady hand paid off with an easy putt for par to clinch the victory.

The moment @Wyndham_Clark became a major champion. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/TIlB87G3o3
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2023

He joins a rare list of golfers to win the U.S. Open after failing to make the cut in their previous appearances. Clark was 0-for-2 in cuts made at the U.S. Open entering 2023 before shooting a nine-under 131 through two rounds.

2009 U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover was the last golfer to win the tournament the first time they made the cut.

Wyndham Clark had never made the cut at the U.S. Open (0-for-2 entering this week).

He's the 4th player over the last 100 years to win the U.S. Open the week of his first made cut, joining:

️‍♂️ 2009 Lucas Glover
️‍♂️ 1993 Lee Janzen
️‍♂️ 1969 Orville Moody pic.twitter.com/5RtrAOYpE0
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 19, 2023

Glover is the only golfer with longer pre-tournament odds of winning the U.S. Open than Clark in the past 40 years. Clark was 100-to-1 to win, tied with Angel Cabrera in 2007.

150-1: Lucas Glover (2009)
100-1: Wyndham Clark (2023)
100-1: Angel Cabrera (2007)

Clark wins the U.S. Open with tied for the 2nd-longest odds in the last 40 years ✅ pic.twitter.com/IYqQSjvggi
— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) June 19, 2023

While few saw Clark's win coming, it wasn't completely out of the blue. Clark had six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year prior to the U.S. Open, including a top-three finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April and a win at the Wells Fargo Championship in May.

For all those watching on Sunday, his win wasn't all that shocking, either. Clark was the best golfer on the course. And he has the trophy to prove it.

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