Wyndham Clark Calls for More Fan Energy at Presidents Cup

After the U.S. team secured a 3-2 lead over the Internationals on the first day of the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah No. 3, Wyndham Clark expressed his disappointment with the crowd’s energy. He noted that the atmosphere could have been more vibrant, suggesting that it lacked the usual excitement on Thursday.

“It seemed kind of dead out there,” Clark commented. “I honestly felt like the momentum could have been better because we weren’t really feeling the fans as much as we normally do.”

He recalled a specific moment when Collin Morikawa made an impressive shot with a 5-wood that left the ball just ten feet from the hole, but, surprisingly, there was little reaction from the crowd. “We even doubted if it was on the green since there wasn’t any clapping,” he said. “I hope tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the fans show up and really cheer us on, regardless of the outcomes.”

While video footage from the first tee showed an energetic crowd, particularly during the national anthem featuring a military flyover, reports indicated that attendance dwindled as the day progressed. Golf Digest remarked that the atmosphere didn’t meet expectations for such events.

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker also shared his feelings about the crowd’s reaction, admitting some disappointment but remaining hopeful for the following days. “It was a strange day. The fans started off great, especially at the first tee, but the energy seemed to fade after that,” he explained. “I think it might be because the course setup was challenging, with tough pin placements making it hard for players to score birdies, which may have affected the overall vibe.”

Snedeker added, “I know Chicago fans are passionate. They’ll return tomorrow; we just need to play some solid golf.”

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time American players have urged fans to elevate their enthusiasm during team competitions. Last year, Morikawa had called on fans at the 2025 Ryder Cup on Long Island to bring the excitement, so there’s perhaps a pattern here.