“I believe that is a rules violation”; “Read the rule book” – Fans divided Wyndham Clark gets accused of ‘clear cheating’ at the US Open 2024  

Fans on social media were divided over Wyndham Clark's controversial shot at the 2024 US Open. The American golfer is allegedly accused of cheating after a video of his shot went viral online.

During the third round of the ongoing Major, Clark was accused of trying to improve his lie before hitting the ball. He took the shot and hit an object on the ground, but the ball returned to its original spot as it failed to cross the mounted area.

Fans on social media called it "clear cheating" and slammed the golfer, claiming Clark saw the ball coming back and thus removed the object to improve the lie. However, some fans supported him and dismissed the cheating allegations.

A golf fan account by the name of @PGALIVhotTakes uploaded a video of Clark on its X (formerly Twitter) account, writing:

"Clear cheating from Wyndham Clark here. He sees it coming back to him, tries to improve the lie before it gets there. This guy has done this way too much this season."

Fans jumped into the comments section to share their opinions on Wyndham Clark's shot.

"I believe that is a rules violation yes," one fan wrote.

Another fan suggested reading the "rule book" before accusing the golfer.

"Read the rule book," commented another fan.

Rule 11.3 of the USGA addresses the penalty for players who "deliberately remove objects or alter conditions to affect a ball in motion." The rule states:

"When a ball is in motion, a player must not deliberately take any of these actions to affect where that ball (whether the player’s own ball or another player’s ball) might come to rest."

"Alter physical conditions by taking any of the actions listed in Rule 8.1a (such as replacing a divot or pressing down a raised area of turf), or Lift or remove: A loose impediment (see Rule 15.1a, Exception 2), or A movable obstruction (see Rule 15.2a, Exception 2)

"The player is in breach of this Rule for taking these deliberate actions even if the action does not affect where the ball comes to rest."

One fan commented that Clark saw the ball coming back and "intentionally" stepped on the patch.

"Correct. He peaked & saw ball coming back to his feet and INTENTIONALLY stepped on that patch," wrote a fan.

Meanwhile, another fan came to the player's defense.

"He just stood on his pitch mark/divot. No big deal," commented a fan.

Here are more fans reactions:

Fans reactions ((Image via X/@PGALIVHotTakes)

However, this is not the first time in 2024 that Clark has been accused of cheating by improving his lie. At the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he allegedly tried to push the grass with his iron before taking a shot.

---

Wyndham Clarks leaps 19 positions with a round of 71 at 2024 US Open

Wyndham Clark, the defending champion of the US Open, jumped 19 positions on the leaderboard after playing a round of 71 on Saturday.

Clark started the third round with a bogey on the second hole, followed by a birdie on the next. He shot three bogeys and two birdies to score 1-over 71. With a total score of +5, he tied for 32nd place on the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau took the lead in the game with a round of 67 on Saturday. The second-round leader, Ludvig Aberg, shot 73 in the third round and slipped to a tie for fifth place with Hideki Matsuyama. Rory McIlroy tied for the second spot with Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon.

The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, June 16, at the Pinehurst No. 2 Golf Course.