It was all class between Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark at the end of the U.S. Open.

While Fowler, 34, fell short after a weekend of leads and watched Clark, 29, secure his first career major, the veteran had nothing but kind words to say to the tournament winner. 

“I told him obviously congrats and proud of him,” Fowler said, according to USA Today. “Then yeah, the last — I went back in there and just said, your mom was with you. She’d be very proud.” 

Clark’s mom, Lise, passed away from breast cancer in 2013 when her son was playing at Oklahoma State as a 19-year-old. 

The 2023 U.S. Open victor won the Wells Fargo Championship just a month ago, but Sunday’s triumph held a greater meaning. 

“I just felt like my mom was watching over me today,” Clark said to NBC’s Damon Hack during the trophy ceremony. “I just feel like I’ve worked so hard and I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long. There have been so many times I’ve visualized being here in front of you guys and winning this championship. I just feel like it was my time, you know. Thank you.” 

Clark clinched the win by a single stroke, outlasting Rory McIlroy in the final round. Up until Sunday, a tie for 75th at a PGA Championship had been Clark’s top finish at a major. 

Fowler, on the other hand, was trying to prove himself again and reclaim the prestige that once followed his name earlier in his career –– he plummeted  to a career-low 185th in the rankings last September. 

There’s no trophy to prove it, but Fowler got himself back on track. He opened with a U.S. Open scoring record 62, maintained his lead on Day 2 and entered tied with Clark in the final round. 

“After the last few years being in this position, kind of how I talked about how comfortable I felt this week, this is great,” Fowler said, according to The Golf Channel. “As much as it sucks to not be in the position I wanted to be after today, we’re just continuing to build and continuing to move forward.”

Fowler tied for fifth place, five shots behind Clark’s winning score.