Long Island golf fans do not deserve another major, Golf Channel says
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An analyst needs to make a decision about a specific segment of golf fans who followed last week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch believes a golf pro should never come to Long Island, New York again, after seeing what happened at one of the nation’s famous courses at Shinnecock Hills during the US Open.
“Long Island golf fans are a stain on the game of golf,” Lynch said during an episode Monday following Wyndham Clark’s second career U.S. Open victory.
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Golf Channel commentator Eamon Lynch looks over the second round of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., on June 13, 2025. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Lynch continued to unload on Long Islanders in attendance, telling them they “don’t deserve” to see another major at any of the established courses, including Bethpage Black, which hosted last year’s Ryder Cup.
Clark was at the center of Lynch’s claim as he was forced to eject patrons at Shinnecock Hills after officials cornered the US Open leader on Sunday. Fans could be heard chanting “Don’t choke Wyndham” and “Get in the dugout” during the final round.
“This isn’t New York’s problem,” Lynch added. “It doesn’t happen in Winged Foot, it doesn’t happen in Baltusrol on the other side of the Hudson River. It happens all the time on Long Island.”
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As of now, the PGA of America has scheduled the PGA Championship for Bethpage Black in 2033.
That’s when Rory McIlroy and other members of Team Europe were subjected to the ridicule and heckling that came their way at last summer’s Ryder Cup. McIlroy was even seen stepping back from the ball to play a joke on one of those who had been harassing him; Others, including his friend Shane Lowry, were quick to respond.
Later, during Team Europe’s victory run on American soil, McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, had a beer thrown at her as she walked onto the field.
Rory McIlroy speaks with Golfweek journalist Eamon Lynch during the pro-am before the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course in Orlando, Fla., on March 1, 2023. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy said at the time. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen this week.”
While nothing like this was seen in four rounds of the U.S. Open last week, Lynch believes Long Island golf fans are too “repetitive” and “predictable” to allow high-stakes tournaments to be played there in the future.
“Drunk crypto brothers buying tickets with their dad’s credit card,” Lynch said, adding that some fans even had privilege in their lives “without being stopped for something they said.”
Is there a solution? Lynch thinks Augusta National Golf Club is the right choice for The Masters.
“Maybe golf needs to model itself entirely on the August National,” he said. “No phones, no tolerance, no second chances.”
Shinnecock Hills saw Clark become the villain among the crowd despite being the leader throughout the tournament. He had a history of club throwing and was banned from Oakmont at the 2025 U.S. Open after damaging two lockers in the clubhouse out of frustration. He is no longer allowed on the property.
Wyndham Clark celebrates with girlfriend Emily Tanner after winning the final round of the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 21, 2026 in Southampton, NY. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour)
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But despite Clark’s mistakes on and off the course, good manners are crucial in being a golf boss, especially in a major championship.
Lynch thinks Long Island isn’t following suit.
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