Wyndham Clark stays the course, but Rory McIlroy leaves Hollywood scratching his head

Wyndham Clark holds the holds the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The potential Hollywood-style grand shootout Sunday afternoon at Los Angeles Country Club never materialised, as most of the protagonists quickly fell into the role of extras as Rory McIlroy dueled with the untested Wyndham Clark.

The grizzled Irish veteran ended up on the short side of the marquee to the U.S. Open’s unlikely leading man.