Wyndham Clark paused, ball ready, on the arena-style first tee box at the 2026 Presidents Cup in Medinah, Illinois. A fan, not missing a beat, yelled a twist on his now-famous catchphrase: “Let’s open some grape this weekend, Wyndham!” That grin flashed across Clark’s face, then disappeared just as quickly, a brief glimpse into the pressure he’s facing and that “villain label” he’s desperately hoping to shake off.
The Legend of the Grape
Dude, this “grape” thing? It’s been legendary all season, a true fan-favorite heckle or rallying cry, depending on who you ask. Clark himself made the remark famous back in June after winning the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Fans were giving him grief, unhappy he was even leading, but Clark didn’t care. He fired back, talking about his celebration plans: “We’re definitely opening up some grape. A lot of grape.” It was a moment, pure and simple, that cemented his reputation. You lead, you win, and if they don’t like it, you give ’em a quote they won’t forget. That’s Clark’s game, and it’s something people are still bringing up months later, even at the Presidents Cup.
A Winning Season, a Complicated Reputation
Clark has been straight-up winning, no doubt about it. Beyond that U.S. Open title in June, he also grabbed the BMW Championship on August 23 and the CJ Cup back on May 24. That’s a serious run for any golfer, proving he’s got the skills to compete at the highest level, no question. But even with all those trophies, there’s still this buzz, this “villain label” he’s trying to outrun. It’s a weird spot to be in, right? You dominate, but some crowds still give you grief. This season has seen plenty of other big names take home hardware, like Scottie Scheffler winning the Tour Championship on August 30 and the FedEx St. Jude Championship on August 16, or Viktor Hovland taking the Travelers Championship on June 29. It’s a competitive tour, and Clark’s been right there, often on top.
So, here we are at the Presidents Cup. Clark’s looking to silence the chatter, to maybe turn that grin into a permanent fixture. He wants to prove he’s more than just the guy who talks about “grape,” he’s a champion, plain and simple. What happens this weekend in Medinah will definitely shape how fans view him moving forward. It’s going to be interesting to watch him try to rewrite his narrative.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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