Tiny U.S. Open Crowds Were an Embarrassing Disaster

This can’t happen again.

Wyndham Clark never will forget the 2023 U.S. Open, where he won his first major championship in impressive fashion and forever changed his career. 

You know who will want to forget the 2023 U.S. Open? Every fan who watched it on television, because between Paul Azinger’s awful analysis to the tiny crowds at Los Angeles Country Club, much of this tournament—our country’s national championship—was an embarrassing disaster that never should be repeated. 

The biggest problem at LACC was the lack of atmosphere we’re accustomed to seeing at the U.S. Open. The crowds were small and quiet for the most part, and there’s a reason why they were like that—the USGA and LACC teamed up to make it impossible for large crowds to walk the grounds of the extremely private country club: 

Details on LACC tickets. 23,000 for sale to the general public—but 14,000 of those were for hospitality. Those are very expensive. Only 9,000 GA warriors. These are the people that bring the energy, the atmosphere. And that’s just a shockingly low number. The corporate Open.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 18, 2023

Those numbers are stunning and show why average fans who wanted to show up to celebrate our country’s biggest golf tournament had no chance of even getting through the gates. The whole thing was pretty much a corporate outing, which didn’t play well at all on TV or even on the grounds. 

The lack of atmosphere wasn’t just noticed by fans watching at home. Last year’s U.S. Open champion, Matthew Fitzpatrick, sounded of on the topic after Saturday’s third round: 

Matt Fitzpatrick on LACC atmosphere.

“Very poor…It’s disappointing on the USGA side. They want a great tournament—from what I’ve heard a lot of members bought tickets and that’s why there’s so many less people. Hopefully it’s not the same for other U.S. Opens going forward.”

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 17, 2023

What makes things even worse is that LACC already has been awarded the 2039 U.S. Open, which is a thing that shouldn’t happen after these past four days: 

There are plenty of courses that value privacy and exclusivity. Totally fine with that choice. Some great spots. Those clubs also don't seek out the biggest tournament you can host in America then try to keep it private and exclusive during the event. That's not how this works. https://t.co/2M7J54SGnN

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 18, 2023

LACC is a world-class golf course, but the U.S. Open should be a championship that’s played in front of the masses. That didn’t happen this time around, and golf fans were not happy about it. 

In other words, LACC is garbage.

Zero atmosphere, could land a jumbo jet on most of the fairways, possibly the most boring US Open in living memory. https://t.co/EYi7WxsCuv

— Alexander Mackay (@_agmackay) June 16, 2023

The crowd on the 18th green was embarrassing. Awful venue for major golf. Worst possible choice for the US Open. Hope the LACC members enjoyed their private show as much as they enjoy dodging $80M a year in property taxes. https://t.co/y11dzfnibL

— Oliver Colander (@olivercolander) June 19, 2023

LACC is a cool course…..no doubt about it. It’s definitely unique……but this is one of the worst US Open venues I can ever remember.

Thread of my reasons:

— Justin Epure (@jpure90) June 19, 2023

Without a doubt the worst US Open I’ve ever seen. Instead of making it an Open they picked this elitist ass golf course that none of the fans will ever get to play. Hell, none of the players would get to play it if not for this tournament.

What a joke. https://t.co/Jy1M4TNb7H

— Chandler Norville (@Chandler_Norv) June 19, 2023

Sooooo Lame of the @USGA … saw this coming from a mile a way. Just a terrible game plan from them. Let all the rich people buy tickets an then not show up. Worst US open I have ever seen in the near 30 years I’ve been alive. I did not expect that at all. https://t.co/0mHf0XZizb

— Cman Wise 🇺🇸🍊 (@WisemanC45) June 18, 2023

Atmosphere at this US open is the worst I’ve ever seen at a major.

— Josef (@joedottcom) June 16, 2023

The Canadian Open atmosphere last week is putting this weeks US Open atmosphere to absolute shame. Zero comparison.

— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) June 18, 2023