2023 US Open: Wyndham Clark wins first major title

Following Wyndham Clark’s win at the US Open, anticipation is now building for the British Masters at the Belfry

Last week, the Los Angeles Country Club played host to the prestigious and much anticipated US Open, which saw some of the best players on the planet go head to head to win one of the sport’s major honours.

And after four days of enthralling and intense action, it was the United States’ Wyndham Clark who came away victorious after finishing 10 under par. He finished ahead of former world number one and 2011 US Open Champion Rory McIlroy, who had to settle for second place. McIlroy was unlucky to miss out on victory with Clark winning by a single shot.

What made Clark’s win even more extraordinary was that he had only made the cut in two of his last six previous appearances in a major championship and in 2021, he finished with a tie in 75^th place in the US PGA Championship. This was his best finish. For his stunning win, he won $3.6 million, which is the winner’s cut of the prize purse which is worth $20 million – the largest ever in the history of the majors.

Clark, ranked 32 win the world had to go through some difficult moments on his way to victory. For example, on the eighth green, it took him two attempts to clear the grass but, in the end,  he only dropped one shot. Then, on the ninth hole (par three), he managed to salvage par after he had found himself in the rough on the edge of the greenside bunker.

The potential for McIlroy to make a late comeback seemed to be a reality after Clark dropped shots on the 15^th and 16^th holes, but the American managed to seal victory after a par on the 18^th hole. It was an emotional victory for Wyndham Clark with his mother having passed away from breast cancer in 2013.

On his first major win, Wyndham Clark said (via CNN): “I just felt like my mom was watching over me today and you know she can’t be here. Miss you mum.”

“I’ve worked so hard and I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long. There’s been so many times I’ve visualised being here in front of you guys and winning this championship. I just feel like it was my time.”

Rickie Fowler, who had been in the lead in the night ahead of the final day, lost his advantage after slipping to five over 75 and he had to settle for a tie in fifth place in the end. Fowler got seven bogeys including one on the 18^th hole which opened the door for Cameron Smith who climbed above Fowler in the standings after making three birdies on the back nine. Smith, the 2022 US Open Champion, finished 6 under par which saw him claim 4^th place.

With the 2023 US Open now over, anticipation will begin to grow for the start of this year’s British Masters which gets underway at the Belfry on Thursday 29^th June. The British Masters is one of the most famous and prestigious tournaments on the calendar, with the four days of enthralling action coming to a close on Sunday 2^nd July 2023.

Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen is the current holder of the British Masters after his victory in May 2022. Olesen claimed the trophy in extraordinary fashion after an eagle-birdie finish which saw him end proceedings 10 under par and a shot clear of Sebastian Soderberg.

This was Olesen’s sixth DP World Tour victory and his first since 2018. It was not plain sailing for the Dane, as despite holding a three shot lead on the final day, he ended up trailing by two with just a couple of holes remaining before he managed to just pip Soderberg to the title with a one over 73.

There is no better way to experience four days of enthralling action in some style at the Belfry as some of the best players in the world compete to win the 2023 British Masters with our VIP Hospitality!