One champion missing, and everyone’s talking! When the Olympic golf team was announced, the absence of the 2024 US Open Champion left many scratching their heads. Fans wondered how Bryson DeChambeau, one of the best golfers in the country, could be overlooked. Well, his snub sparked outrage and a healthy dose of skepticism. Now, Wyndham Clark is facing the backlash, with fans quick to point out his lackluster major performances this year.

“Reminder, The US Open Champion isn’t representing team USA in the Olympics…Instead a guy who went, MC, MC, T56, MC, in the 4 majors this year is…Come on now…”, PGA/LIV Hot Takes posted on X. With Clark’s record showing missed cuts at the three majors and a dismal T56 at the US Open, fans examine whether he truly deserves a spot on the Olympic team over DeChambeau.

The same post on X reminded fans of DeChambeau’s incredible feat at the US Open, where he produced the most memorable shot on the crucial 72nd hole, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Moreover, with the fans’ adoration and support, it’s clear that DeChambeau is the face of American golf fans who want to see leading their Olympic hopes in Paris. His impressive performances in the majors this year, with three top-10 finishes, only add to the disappointment of his absence. 

Despite his struggles in the majors, Wyndham Clark has shown impressive form in other events, but for fans, it’s still not enough to justify his Olympic selection over the 9x PGA Tour champ. This season, he has secured six top-10 finishes in 17 starts, including a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. Moreover, Clark also had a strong stretch with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, followed by a T-3 result at the RBC Canadian Open in March.

The post drew a chorus of disapproval from fans, who cleared they wanted Bryson DeChambeau, not Clark, to lead America’s Olympic golf hopes.

How fans and enthusiasts reacted to Bryson DeChambeau’s rejection

One fan expressed their disbelief, commenting, “It really is a joke @Wyndham_Clark is on the team.” This sentiment reflects the widespread confusion and frustration among fans, reminiscent of past controversial selections in sports teams where merit was perceived to be overlooked. For example, fans reacted similarly when a seasoned golfer, Padraig Harrington, was controversially picked for the European Ryder Cup team over in-form players.

“Clark the most overrated guy out there dudes a head case,” a harsh critic commented. This echoes the kind of backlash athletes like Sergio Garcia have faced when underperforming relative to expectations set by fans and media. Another fan stated, “WC was a wild choice,” highlighting the unexpected nature of Clark’s selection over more established players like DeChambeau. The choice has fans drawing parallels to surprise inclusions in other sports often stirring significant debate and skepticism.

“@Wyndham_Clark give up your spot,” demanded another fan, underscoring the strong opposition to Clark’s inclusion. The reaction is reminiscent of instances in team sports where players or fans believe a more deserving candidate was snubbed. It also highlights the unexpected nature of Clark’s selection, over more established and performing players like Bryson DeChambeau.

“Wyndham Clark belongs at home. Fakest 6-month stretch of golf we’ve ever seen,” another fan proclaimed. This comment mirrors criticisms faced by players who experience brief periods of success, only to be doubted in terms of their long-term consistency and credibility.

One fan stated emphatically, towards DeChambeau, “I 10000% agree Bryson should be on the team. And I hate that Wyndham is on the team. But Bryson knew the consequences of taking the money and joining an exhibition league, stop acting dumb.” However, he also acknowledged DeChambeau’s decision to join LIV Golf and the consequences that came with it. This reaction is similar to the debate surrounding golfer Phil Mickelson’s decision to join LIV Golf, with some fans supporting his choice and others criticizing him for prioritizing money over tradition.

Another user declared, “FACTS. Bryson should be on the US team. No question about it.” This sentiment is akin to the outcry when notable golfers like Phil Mickelson were left out of significant tournaments despite their form and fan support, indicating a perceived injustice.

“If he played more WGR-sanctioned tournaments, he would be in. That is right, he made a personal decision to play exhibition golf, giving up all of the cool playing opportunities like the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Olympics. But he is happy with his decision to play LIV!!” commented another fan. He supports DeChambeau but acknowledges the implications of his choice to join LIV Golf. 

Thus, the rejection of Bryson DeChambeau caused a massive uproar amongst the golfing community.