US Open 2026: Wyndham Clark stands firm as Scottie Scheffler makes move at Shinnecock Hills
US Open third round rankings
Leader: -7 W Clark (USA); -1 S Scheffler (USA), S Theegala (USA), T Kim (Kor), S Stevens (USA)
Selected: Level X Schauffele (USA); +1 T Fleetwood (Eng), C Morikawa (US), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +2 A Fitzpatrick (Eng); +3 R McIlroy (NI), J Parry (Eng), A Rai (Eng); +4 J Rose (Eng), T Hatton (Eng); +7 R MacIntyre (Sco)
In the third round, where rivals advanced but were ultimately defeated, Wyndham Clark stood firm in positioning himself as the overwhelming favorite to win his second US Open title.
Not only did the American fail to come out on top, but the 32-year-old extended his lead from four strokes to six strokes to become the tournament’s first wire-to-wire winner since Martin Kaymer in 2014.
Clark gave a masterclass in tackling at Shinnecock Hills before signing for a par 70 that will give him a big advantage heading into Sunday’s final round.
Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim and Sam Stevens are among the four, but it is an ominous situation for Clark; So does Scottie Scheffler, who arguably represents the biggest threat to repeating his victory at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.
A shot behind and out of contention are Americans Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele, while Collin Morikawa and England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are one point ahead.
But while there has been only one occasion since the first Masters in 1934 when a six-shot lead was overturned in the final round of a major championship, it is the presence of world number one Scheffler that will worry Clark most – when Greg Norman faded and Nick Faldo claimed his third Masters title in 1996.
“I feel good. Every time I get into these positions, I get more comfortable,” Clark said.
“Scottie is the best player in the world and he’s probably going to play very well. He always does, but it’s nice to have a six-stroke lead on him.
“I’m going to continue to approach it the same way. If I go through my process and hit the shots I know I can hit, I like my chances.”
