Wyndham Clark Storms to Historic Four-Shot Lead at Shinnecock

Clark Rewrites the Record Books in the Hamptons

If you told me twelve months ago that Wyndham Clark would be standing on the precipice of a second US Open title with a record-breaking performance, I might have raised an eyebrow. But here we are at Shinnecock Hills, and the 32-year-old American is playing the golf of his life.

Clark's seven-under-par total through 36 holes isn't just impressive—it's historic. He's shattered the previous US Open halfway record at Shinnecock, surpassing the six-under mark set jointly by Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama back in 2004. After an opening-round 64 that had everyone buzzing, he backed it up with a gutsy one-under 69 on a day when the wind reminded everyone this is still a US Open.

"I really felt like I could be in double digits," Clark said afterward. "I turned not my best golf into a good day."

That's the mark of a champion talking right there.

A Tale of Two Days Compressed Into One

Friday's action was anything but straightforward for Clark. After Thursday's late finish due to darkness, he didn't get to bed until nearly 11pm and was up again at 4am to complete his first round. By 1:20pm on Friday, he'd played the final two holes of round one and all 18 of round two. Talk about a compressed schedule.

His four-shot overnight lead was halved early in the day, and for a moment, you could feel the chasing pack getting restless. Clark went cold on the greens, missing a makeable par save at the ninth and leaving birdie chances begging at the 10th and 11th.

But this is where the 2023 champion showed his mettle. A 29-footer dropped at the 13th, and then he curled in a beauty from 33 feet down the slope at the 18th to restore that commanding cushion. The roar from the gallery told you everything—Clark is here to win.

The Chasing Pack Loaded With Firepower

Four shots back might seem like a comfortable margin, but take one look at the names sitting at three under and you'll understand why Clark can't afford to ease off the throttle:

• Matt Fitzpatrick – The 2022 US Open champion knows how to close at this event
• Xander Schauffele – Finally broke through at a major last year and is playing with house money
• Tom Kim – The young Korean star continues to prove he belongs on the biggest stages
• Sam Stevens – Making noise and showing he can hang with the elite

Then there's Collin Morikawa, who fired the low round of the day—a stunning 65—to get to two under. When Morikawa gets his putter working, watch out. And let's not forget Rory McIlroy, who described his back nine as "a bit of a battle" but remains very much in contention.

A Remarkable Revival

We can't talk about this week without acknowledging how far Clark has come. Twelve months ago at Oakmont, he left under a cloud of controversy after damaging a locker following a missed cut. It was a low point that had some questioning whether he could recapture the magic of his 2023 breakthrough at Los Angeles Country Club.

The answer, at least through 36 holes, has been emphatic.

Only four players have carried a larger 36-hole lead at America's national championship: Willie Anderson in 1903, Tiger Woods in 2000, Rory McIlroy in 2011, and Martin Kaymer in 2014. All four went on to lift the trophy. History is firmly on Clark's side.

What's Next for Clark?

With an unusually long wait until his 3:45pm tee time on Saturday, Clark has mapped out his Friday evening: watching the USA take on Australia at the World Cup, followed by dinner and a few rounds of gin rummy with longtime caddie John Ellis.

Sometimes the best preparation is no preparation at all.

Key Takeaways

• Clark's seven-under total is the lowest 36-hole score in US Open history at Shinnecock Hills
• Four major champions lurk within striking distance heading into the weekend
• The wind made scoring difficult, making Clark's position even more impressive
• History suggests a four-shot lead at this stage is nearly insurmountable—but this chasing pack won't go quietly