A golf tournament is never going to have the same energy as the Chicago Bulls playing at the United Center as a matter of principle. But Wyndham Clark was hoping for a little more enthusiasm from fans at the Presidents Cup at Medina Country Club outside Chicago.
The US Open winner was paired with Collin Morikawa and the duo scored a point on Thursday, Sept. 24, the first day of actionin the team competition that pits the United States against a group of international players.
But Clark said that the patriotic spirit was lacking from fans in attendance.
"It was kind of dead out there," Clark told reporters after he wrapped up play. "I felt like the momentum could have been better, to be honest, because we weren't really feeling the fans, I think,
as much as normal.
"There was a few shots, I mean, Collin hit a 5-wood on, what was it, 11 to like 10 feet, and we didn't even know if it was on the green because no one clapped. So it was a little surprising. We'd make some big putts, I'm saying this more as a challenge that hopefully tomorrow and the weekend, the fans are out there really rooting us on, and regardless of what happens, we have the momentum."
The tournament opened to much fanfare, including Bill Murray presenting the trophy, longtime Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison belting out the "Star-Spangled Banner," and a military flyover.
The energy died down from there, but the United States grabbed a 3-2 lead when four-ball action was complete on Day 1. Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas are also playing for the home team, which is captained by Brandt Snedeker. Snedeker agreed with Clark that the fan presence could have been felt stronger.
"It was a weird day. I really felt like the fans were out there and they were there, but the first tee was loud, and then it just kind of dissipated as the day went on. I don't know why," Snedeker said, according to Golfweek, part of the USA TODAY Network. "I think part of it was because the golf course was set up pretty difficult. There was some really tough pins out there, so it was really hard to get a lot of birdies going. You've got guys going crazy, I guess. And there's some tough viewing out there on some of the holes where people really couldn't see what was going on.
"I know what Chicago is built of. I know what kind of fans we've got here. They'll come out tomorrow. We've just got to go out and play good golf."
U.S. President Donald Trump is the honorary chairmanfor this year's Presidents Cup. He isexpected to make an appearance at the tournament Sunday, Sept. 27 on the final day of competition.
Also on Thursday in the Windy City, both the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs clinched a spot in the MLB playoffs – just the fourth time both teams will be in baseball's postseason at the same time. While the White Sox celebrated in Kansas City, the Cubs punched their ticket by beating the Miami Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field. Maybe that's where all the Chicago sports fans were.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wyndham Clark criticizes lack of US fan support at Presidents Cup
