Sunday, May 17, 2026

U.S. Open Champ Sees Strong Payday From Smart Business

  • Wyndham Clark is back in action at The Travelers Championship.
  • Brands have been calling Clark since Sunday, one wanting to put its logo on his shirt.
Jason E. Miczek/USGA

U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark is back in action at The Travelers Championship after his first major championship validated the golfer’s bold business strategy.

Last week’s $3.6 million check took Clark over $10 million in earnings this year. He was solid tee-to-green using a variety of clubs thanks to a flexible equipment contract negotiated by his agency, The Familie

Clark joined the agency in 2021 as his PXG club deal was ending, and his agent Rob Mougey told Front Office Sports that the golfer wanted something nonrestrictive. “It was very much focused on what’s going to perform the best for him,” Mougey said.

He ended up with Titleist for the majority of his clubs. On Sunday, he also used an Odyssey putter and TaylorMade 3-wood.

Mougey said Clark might have earned a payday seven figures higher from another manufacturer.

“It’s not the easiest thing to do,” The Familie founder and CEO Steve Astephen added. “Because you want to look at money — always — but money will come from winning.”

Brands have been calling since Sunday — like one from a financial institution wanting to put its logo on Clark’s shirt. But his reps are primarily focused on the long game, such as Clark’s deal with Municipal, Mark Wahlberg’s apparel company, which includes equity.

“Our goal is to create some [collections] with Municipal and I think [co-founder & CEO Harry Arnett] and Mark are in this to hopefully build a business that has a sizable transaction in the next few years, as far as an exit,” Astephen explained.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Open Falls Behind Masters in Prize Money: ‘It’s Not a Race’

The Masters increased its purse to $22.5 million this year.

French Open Will Allow Wearables Like Whoop on ‘Trial Basis’

The trial will extend to the US Open and Wimbledon.

Australian Open Attendance Boom Fuels Ambitions, Fan Frustrations

Despite rising fan complaints, event organizers are thinking much bigger.
Jan 25, 2012; Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; A general view of Rod Laver Arena during the match between Novak Djokovic (SRB) and David Ferrer (ESP) on day ten of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Australian Open’s Rising Popularity Also Brings Growing Pains

As attendance soars at the tennis major, so have fan complaints.

Featured Today

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
May 15, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot on the seventh tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament.

Bryson DeChambeau Misses Second Major Cut Amid LIV Turmoil

DeChambeau also missed the cut at this year’s Masters.
May 12, 2026

Another Summer of LeBron Is Here

James is not under contract for next season.
May 12, 2026

NBA Player Brandon Clarke Dies at 29

Clarke died on Monday in Southern California, authorities say.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Aug 2, 2024; Nanterre, France; Benjamin Proud (Great Britain), Cameron McEvoy (Australia) and Florent Manaudou (France) in the men’s 50-meter freestyle medal ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena.
May 11, 2026

The Enhanced Games Want to Be More Than a Steroid Olympics

“There’s a benefit for anyone to live enhanced.”
Trick Williams Front Office Sports
May 9, 2026

WWE’s Next Big Star Could Be Ex-NFL Hopeful Trick Williams

The former South Carolina wideout is now WWE’s U.S. champion.
May 6, 2026

Napheesa Collier Admits Engelbert Rant Was For CBA Leverage

The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a new labor deal in March.
Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium.
May 5, 2026

Sabalenka, Gauff Suggest Grand Slam Boycott Over Prize Money Share

“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament,” Sabalenka said.