Wyndham Clark has been officially banned from Oakmont Country Club following an emotional outburst during the 2025 U.S. Open that resulted in property damage. After suffering a tough round, Clark reportedly damaged a locker in frustration, prompting swift disciplinary action from Oakmont’s leadership. In a letter to members, Oakmont’s president, John Lynch, confirmed the ban and laid out the conditions for Clark’s reinstatement: full repayment for the damage, a charitable donation chosen by the Oakmont board, and attendance in anger management or personal counseling sessions. The USGA, which oversees the U.S. Open, backed the club’s decision and public disclosure, despite Clark’s best efforts to handle the matter quietly, and it seems the golfer did not like that.

The 2023 U.S. Open Champion addressed the controversy in a press conference at The 153rd Open, expressing his remorse and disappointment over how publicly the issue was handled. “Obviously I feel terrible with what happened. I’m doing anything I can to try to remedy the situation,” he said. He emphasized that he had hoped to resolve the matter behind closed doors, adding, “We’re trying to keep it private between Oakmont, myself and the USGA.”

However, the public release of Oakmont’s letter contradicted that request, something Clark acknowledged with quiet frustration: “Yeah, we were hoping it was going to be private. I’ll just leave it at that.” Despite the fallout, he remains hopeful that “in a few months we’re past this, and it’s something of the past,” expressing a desire to move on without ill will between him and the USGA.

Even as he reflects on the situation, Clark remains unsure if he’ll ever be welcomed back to Oakmont Country Club, leaving the decision entirely in the hands of the authorities.

After trying everything, Wyndham Clark has left it ‘up to them’

 When asked if he sees himself returning to the historic course, Clark admitted the decision is no longer in his control. “I don’t know. That’s up to them. That’s up to them. I really don’t know,” he said. “I would hope so. It’s a fantastic course and place. But that’s up to them. I did something awful, and I’m really sorry for it.” With Oakmont set to host the U.S. Open again in 2033, Clark was once more noncommittal: “No idea. That’s up to them. I hope so.”

In his effort to make amends, Clark says he’s already taken steps to own up to his mistake. “Yeah, we reached out and we wanted to do that [make a charitable donation]. Obviously it’s a no-brainer to pay for the damages. That was a given,” he explained. Beyond covering the costs, he said he wanted to go further: “Then obviously all the apologies, and I want to give back to the community because I hurt a great place in Pittsburgh, so I wanted to do anything I can to show them that what happened there was not a reflection of who I am and won’t happen again.”

It’s clear Clark has done a fair bit of soul-searching in the weeks since the incident. His words reflect sincere regret, but the damage—both to property and reputation—has already been done. Whether his apology and outreach will be enough to earn forgiveness remains to be seen. For now, the ball is firmly in Oakmont’s court.