Golf Analyst Criticizes Long Island Fans After U.S. Open
Following last week’s U.S. Open at Sinek Hills, a golf analyst is seeking feedback from fans in certain regions. Eamonn Lynch of Golf Channel shared his thoughts on the event, suggesting that major golf tournaments should avoid Long Island in the future.
Lynch expressed his discontent after Windham Clark secured his second U.S. Open title, declaring, “Long Island golf fans are a stain on the world of golf” during a segment on Monday.
He went on to point fingers at the crowd from Long Island, claiming they “do not deserve” major championships at their famous courses, like Bethpage Black, which was a venue for this year’s Ryder Cup.
The controversy surrounding Clark was heightened as members of the crowd heckled event officials during the final round. Observers reported chants of “Don’t choke Windham” and sarcastic remarks about his performance.
“This isn’t just a New York issue,” Lynch remarked. “It’s not seen at Winged Foot or Baltusrol across the Hudson. It’s a recurring problem on Long Island.”
Looking ahead, the PGA Championship is scheduled to take place at Bethpage Black in 2033.
Notably, Rory McIlroy and his European teammates faced crowd hostility during the recent Ryder Cup. McIlroy was even seen reacting to heckling aimed at him, with some players, like Shane Lowry, quickly supporting their friend.
While the raucous behavior wasn’t witnessed in the latest U.S. Open, Lynch believes that Long Island fans are generally too “repetitive” and “predictable” for high-stakes events to be hosted there again.
Lynch went as far as to describe some attendees as “drunken crypto bros” who buy tickets with little awareness of golf etiquette, suggesting they might have led sheltered lives where they’ve rarely faced consequences for their actions.
So, what’s the fix? Lynch argues for an Augusta National Golf Club-type model for golf as a whole. “No phones, no tolerance, no second chances,” he stated.
Despite leading throughout the tournament, Clark’s past actions have made him somewhat unpopular among spectators. He has previously faced a suspension for damaging property at Oakmont during the 2025 U.S. Open.
Yet even with criticism directed at Clark, Lynch emphasizes the importance of maintaining decorum as a golf patron, especially at significant tournaments. He feels that many attendees from Long Island are not adhering to this standard.
