Wyndham Clark’s Commanding Lead at U.S. Open

In Southampton, N.Y., Shinnecock Hills offered a tough challenge during the U.S. Open, but Wyndham Clark proved tougher. On Saturday, Clark made significant par saves as Scottie Scheffler gained momentum. He then executed a remarkable fairway metal shot to 4 feet for an eagle on the par-5 16th, finishing with an even-par 70. This performance secured Clark a six-shot lead.

This lead is noteworthy because, in the history of the event’s 125 editions, no one has lost a lead of more than five shots. Greg Norman was the only player to lose a six-shot lead in any major, specifically at the 1996 Masters. During the day, Scheffler delighted the crowd with a birdie on No. 16 in the third round, as seen at Shinnecock Hills on June 20, 2026.

The course was challenging even after high winds calmed. Only Emiliano Grillo, with winds up to 30 mph before the leaders teed off, and Scheffler, with a round of 69, broke par. Clark nearly matched them but missed a 5-foot par putt at the end. He finished with a 7-under 203, the lowest 54-hole score at Shinnecock Hills. He now seeks to add another U.S. Open title to his 2023 win at Los Angeles Country Club.

Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, stands by Clark’s side aiming for a memorable Sunday. There’s a slim chance for him to complete the career Grand Slam on Father’s Day, his 30th birthday. He expressed excitement, saying, “There’s a lot of stuff going on. A special day. The tournament means a lot to me. Going to go out there and try to do my best and execute.” Despite initial setbacks, with back-to-back bogeys, Scheffler rallied by chipping in from 65 feet on the 14th, sparking three consecutive birdies.

Nonetheless, he regretted missing a short birdie putt on the last hole. Shinnecock Hills tested others as well. Sam Stevens, initially close to Clark at two shots back, stumbled with three bogeys on the back nine, closing with a 72. Tom Kim lost two shots at a crucial moment and also scored 72. Sahith Theegala maintained consistency with one birdie and one bogey, ending at 70. They were among the five players to finish under par at 1-under 209.