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Golf influencer Paige Spiranac on Sunday told a heartwarming short story about Wyndham Clark after he held off Rory McIlroy to win the U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Clark finished 10-under par for the tournament, beating McIlroy by one stroke.
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Wyndham Clark holds the trophy after winning the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Spiranac revealed she and Clark participated in junior golf together in Colorado and there was something about him that she and those around them knew would translate into a winner.
"Wyndham Clark and I grew up playing junior golf together in Colorado," Spiranac tweeted. "Everyone would always say he had something special and we all knew he’d make it. Now he’s a major winner! Very cool moment."
WYNDHAM CLARK HOLDS OFF RORY MCILROY TO WIN US OPEN
Paige Spiranac throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates game at American Family Field on June 16, 2023, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Clark was born in Denver and was classmates with current San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. He won the Colorado state golf championship twice.
Clark previously missed the cut in the other two U.S. Open tournaments he played. He finished tied for 75th at the 2021 PGA Championship and tied for 76th at The Open Championship last year.
He took home $3.6 million for his troubles.
"I feel like I belong on this stage," Clark said afterward. "Even two, three years ago when people didn’t know who I was, I felt like I could still play and compete against the best players in the world."
The win came six weeks after he won the Wells Fargo Championship – his first PGA Tour win.
Wyndham Clark plays his tee shot on the 18th hole during the 123rd U.S. Open on June 17, 2023, in Los Angeles. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
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"It's gone faster than I thought as far as just starting to do some stuff mentally that I’ve never done before, but I feel like I’m one of the best players in the world," he added. "Obviously this just shows what I believe can happen."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.