Wyndham Clark Calls Out Presidents Cup Crowd for Lack of Energy
American golfer Wyndham Clark expressed disappointment with the atmosphere at Medinah, stating the crowd was 'kind of dead' during the first day of the Presidents Cup.
Wyndham Clark voiced his dissatisfaction with the spectator enthusiasm at the 2026 Presidents Cup, describing the atmosphere at Medinah Country Club as "kind of dead" on the opening day. Despite the United States team securing an early 3-2 lead over the International team, Clark felt the crowd's energy was lacking, potentially impacting the team's momentum.
"I felt like the momentum could have been better, to be honest, because we weren’t really feeling the fans, I think, as much as normal," Clark told reporters. He cited an instance where a significant shot by Collin Morikawa, landing within 10 feet of the 11th hole, went largely unnoticed due to a lack of applause. "It was a little surprising. We’d make some big putts," he added, expressing hope for increased fan engagement over the weekend.
While video from the first tee suggested a lively crowd, particularly during a pre-match military flyover and national anthem, reports indicated that stands had thinned out by the conclusion of the day's final matches. Golf Digest noted that the crowd "did lack the environment one expects from these events."
U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker acknowledged the subdued atmosphere, calling it a "weird day." He observed that the energy seemed to dissipate after a strong start at the first tee. Snedeker suggested that the difficult course setup, with challenging pin placements leading to fewer birdies, might have contributed to the crowd's subdued reaction. He also mentioned that some holes offered limited viewing angles for spectators.
"I know what Chicago is built of. I know what kind of fans we’ve got here. They’ll come out tomorrow. We’ve just got to go out and play good golf," Snedeker stated, expressing confidence that the crowd would become more vocal as the tournament progresses.
This sentiment echoes past calls for greater fan energy at team golf events. Last year, Morikawa similarly challenged fans at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup on Long Island to bring more intensity.