U.S. Golfer Wyndham Clark Disappointed by Presidents Cup Crowd Support

Wyndham Clark criticized the atmosphere at Medinah No. 3 after the United States opened the 2026 Presidents Cup with a 3-2 lead over the International team.

Clark said the Americans might have built more momentum Thursday if the crowd had created a livelier atmosphere around the course.

“It was kind of dead out there,” Clark told reporters. “To be honest, I felt like the momentum could have been better because we weren’t really feeling the fans as much as we normally do.

“There were a few shots—Collin [Morikawa] hit a 5-wood on, what was it, 11, to about 10 feet—and we didn’t even know whether it was on the green because nobody clapped. That was a little surprising. We made some big putts, and I’m saying this more as a challenge: Hopefully tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the fans are out there really rooting us on. Regardless of what happens, we’ll have the momentum.”

Video from the first tee captured a boisterous crowd at the course outside Chicago, especially during the national anthem, which was accompanied by a military flyover.

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Still, Golf Digest reported that spectators had begun leaving before the final two matches teed off, adding that the event lacked the atmosphere typically associated with team competitions of this magnitude.

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker likewise acknowledged that the crowd reaction had been underwhelming, although he remained confident Chicago fans would return in greater numbers.

“It was a weird day. I really felt like the fans were out there and they were there, but the first tee was loud, and then it just kind of dissipated as the day went on. I don’t know why,” Snedeker said. “I think part of it was because the golf course was set up pretty difficult. There were some really tough pins, so it was hard to get a lot of birdies going. I guess you need guys going crazy. There were also some difficult viewing areas on certain holes where people couldn’t really see what was happening.

“I know what Chicago is built on. I know what kind of fans we have here. They’ll come out tomorrow. We just have to go out and play good golf.”

This is not the first time American players have urged spectators to bring more energy to a team golf event.

Morikawa made a similar appeal last year, challenging fans on Long Island to create a chaotic atmosphere during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.