Paige Spiranac gets emotional after US Open as she reveals touching Wyndham Clark story
AN EMOTIONAL Paige Spiranac revealed why she was so delighted by Wyndham Clark winning the US Open.
The rising American star outlasted Rory McIlroy to claim his first Major at Los Angeles Country Club - at his seventh attempt.
He finished on ten-under-par, one shot clear of the Northern Irishman.
And golfer-turn-influencer Paige took to Twitter to express her pride at Clark's achievement - and their personal link.
She wrote: "Wyndham Clark and I grew up playing junior golf together in Colorado.
"Everyone would always say he had something special and we all knew he’d make it.
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"Now he’s a major winner! Very cool moment."
She later added he was "always a standout player even at age 13".
Before the tournament, though, even childhood pal Paige did not back the 100-1 Clark to cause the upset.
In her predictions, she said: "First of course you have Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka all favourites.
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"Koepka looks very confident and a cocky Brooks is a very dangerous Brooks, and we know that he plays great at majors.
"I actually liked that Rory [McIlroy] cancelled his press conference, I think that was really smart considering everything that's going on.
"Some long shots I'm looking at right now are Gary Woodland and Keegan Bradley.
"A couple of other names being thrown around is Hideki [Matsuyama], [Viktor] Hovland and of course Max Homa - Californian boy, shot a 61 in college at LACC.
"Another long shot that people are going crazy over is Rickie Fowler."
However, a few eagle-eyed fans were convinced McIlroy should have been lifting the trophy.
Viewers claimed Clark touched his ball accidentally when lining up a chip - although it is not clear if he actually makes contact or the ball moves.