As the world turned its attention this week to the hallowed grounds of the US Open, little did anyone anticipate the stunning twist that awaited them. A rising star etched his name in golfing history in nail-biting fashion. Wyndham Clark clinched his first major title. And the NFL world, ranging from the Broncos Country to Pat McAfee, poured in with their admiration and congratulatory messages.

After four thrilling rounds at the Los Angeles Country Club, the US Open crowned its 123rd champion. And Wyndham Clark, who was not a pre-tournament favorite, stayed on top of his game right from the very get-go. Understandably, the applause was thunderous for the 29-year-old, given some of the fierce opposition he overcame.

Wyndham Clark gets the love from Pat McAfee and the NFL community

Clark did not have an easy ride as he outlasted some champions and veterans to clinch his maiden United States Open title. This included the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Rickie Fowler. Starting off with a 64 in the first round, Clark followed it up with a 67, 69, and 70 in the final three rounds to display the ultimate show of consistency.

“Man, I’m so happy for Wyndham Clark. H–l yeah brother. What a story, what a week! What a Champion,” former Indianapolis Colts punter and popular talk show host Pat McAfee tweeted. Former Panther and present-day San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who went to high school with Wyndham Clark, had an emotional outburst after watching his friend clinch the PGA Major title.

“Yes sir, yes sir!!” McCaffrey yelled on his IG stories. “The boy,” he captioned the winning shot.

Being a Colorado boy, Clark also got salutations from Russell Wilson‘s Denver Broncos. “Congratulations to the Colorado Kid on his US Open Golf win,” the $4.65 billion worth Broncos tweeted from their official page.

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And the win deserved all the admiration and adulation, especially because of the incredibly inspiring story of Clark from rock bottom to the very top of the golfing world.

Clark almost quit golf in 2013

Despite making his first hole-in-one at the mere age of six, Wyndham Clark had his hurdles laid out before tasting victory this week. Tragedy struck the golfer in 2013 when Clark lost his mother due to breast cancer. And going through possibly one of the darkest phases of his life, Wyndham Clark contemplated giving up on the sport altogether.

However, he displayed his championship mentality when he finished 9th in the U.S. Amateurs only 10 days after his mother’s demise. Since then, there has been no stopping Clark, as he won the National Championship with Oregon in 2017. Clark ended up on the 16th spot on the Korn Ferry Tour Money List and earned his tour card in 2018. The last few years saw Clark reaching his peak as he clinched his maiden PGA Tour win at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship, before winning the US Open this week.

Surely, the celebrations will rage on for the talented putter. And the grind to get back in the zone for the next major won’t wait too long either. Way to go, Wyndham!

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