Golf Channel analyst calls Long Island fans 'a stain on the game' after US Open incidents

"Long Island golf fans re a stain on the game of golf," Lynch said during a segment on Monday following Wyndham Clark's second U.S. Open victory for his career.

Clark was at the center of Lynch's argument, as authorities had to kick patrons at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday out after heckling the U.S. Open's leader. Fans were heard screaming, "Don't choke Wyndham," as well as, "Get in the bunker" during his final round.

"This isn't a New York problem," Lynch added. "It doesn't happen at Winged Foot, doesn't happen at Baltusrol on the other side of the Hudson River. It happens on Long Island every single time."

At that very course, Rory McIlroy and other members of Team Europe were the subject of taunts and heckling that got in the way of the Ryder Cup this past summer. McIlroy was even seen stepping back from the ball to quip back at one of the hecklers, while others, including his friend Shane Lowry, were also quick to respond.

Then, during Team Europe's victory run on American soil, McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, had a beer thrown at her while walking on the course.

"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 out there this week."

While nothing of the sort was seen during the four rounds at the U.S. Open this past week, Lynch still believes Long Island golf fans have been too "repetitive" and "predictable" to allow high-stakes tournaments to be played there in the future.

"It's the drunk crypto bros who buy a ticket with Daddy's credit card," Lynch said, even adding that some of the fans have been privileged in their lives to the point they've been "without ever being stopped for something they've said."

"Maybe golf in its entirety needs to take the August National model," he said. "No phones, no tolerance, no second chance."

Shinnecock Hills saw Clark become somewhat of a villain among the crowd despite leading the pack throughout the tournament. He's had a history of throwing clubs, and he notoriously was banned from Oakmont during the 2025 U.S. Open after damaging two lockers inside the clubhouse out of frustration. He's no longer allowed on the property.

But despite Clark's wrongdoings on and off the course, the decorum of being a golf patron, especially at a major championship, is paramount.

Lynch feels those on Long Island are not following suit.