How did Clark’s late mother shape his US Open mindset?

Question

Accepted Answer

Clark’s late mother shaped his US Open mindset through her “play big” mantra, her constant encouragement, and the emotional sense that she was with him in Los Angeles.

Clark said he felt his mother was watching over him during the final round, and that belief gave the week in Los Angeles a special emotional weight. He also said she had always been proud of him, called him “Winner” when he was a child, and taught him to “play big,” a phrase he said stayed close to his heart during the championship.
Her encouragement became a lasting mental cue
Clark described his mother as “so positive” and “such a motivator,” and said her words still shaped how he approached pressure. He recalled that she used to call him “Winner” and tell him, “I love you, Winner,” which reinforced the confidence he carried into the final round.
The “play big” mantra guided his thinking under pressure
Clark said his mother taught him the mantra “play big,” and he linked that directly to the mindset he used while competing for the US Open. During the final round, he said he repeatedly reminded himself of his goals, doing so “100 plus times” as he heard chants for Rickie Fowler around Los Angeles Country Club.
Los Angeles made the win feel even more personal
The tournament carried added meaning because Clark said his mother had lived in Los Angeles for a few years, and people came up to him that week with pictures of her from when she lived there in her 20s and early 30s. He also said his parents were married at Riviera Country Club, giving him roots in the area and making the victory feel tied to family history as well as golf.
He tied her influence to the emotion of winning his first major
Clark said he had dreamed of this moment for a long time and believed something greater was coming after earlier near-misses, including his win at the Wells Fargo Championship and his disappointment at the Memorial Tournament. He said winning the US Open felt surreal, and that his mother would have been crying tears of joy if she could have been there to celebrate with him.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How did Clark’s late mother shape his US Open mindset?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends