Wyndham Clark turned Shinnecock Hills into a test of nerve and shotmaking on Saturday, building a six-shot lead into the final round of the U.S. Open. His round featured four crucial par saves in a five-hole stretch and a brilliant 3-wood to 4 feet that produced the only eagle on the par-5 16th all week.
Even with a bogey at the last hole for an even-par 70, Clark finished at 7-under 203, the lowest 54-hole score ever at Shinnecock Hills. He now stands one round away from adding a second U.S. Open title to the one he won at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.
Clark’s lead keeps growing
The margin has widened every day, from two shots after Thursday to four after Friday and now six heading into Sunday. That kind of cushion is rare in major championship history, and Clark’s closest pursuer will be Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1.
Scheffler finally found momentum late, making three straight birdies and shooting 32 on the back nine to close with a 69. According to www.espn.com, he has won all four of his majors from in front, which makes the final-round chase at Shinnecock a new kind of pressure test.
Pressure points that never broke Clark
Clark’s round was not clean, and he admitted it. From the rough on 18, he sent a wedge well right and told his caddie, “Gosh, I’ve hit some terrible shots today. This is ridiculous,” even while holding a seven-shot lead at the time.
He also escaped trouble on the ninth, 10th, 11th and 13th holes, including a bold bump-and-run behind the 10th green and a 15-foot par save after missing the green on 13. The steadiness kept his advantage intact even as the course demanded patience and precision.
What Sunday looks like
Xander Schauffele, who faded with two double bogeys on the back nine, said the result is still in Clark’s hands. He added that a solid round of even par or slightly over should be enough for Clark to win the tournament.
Saturday’s final groups also arrived in a quieter atmosphere as many fans left in the evening and the leaders finished in the dark. Clark said the setting was “kind of unfortunate,” but he remained focused on the chance to close out the championship at Shinnecock Hills.
Other contenders stayed within reach of the top of the board, but only five players were under par after three rounds. Sam Stevens, Tom Kim and Sahith Theegala all finished at 1-under 209, while Keith Mitchell joined Clark as the only player at par or better in three straight rounds, though he sat eight shots back.
The final round now offers Clark a chance to become the first wire-to-wire U.S. Open champion in 12 years. Scheffler, meanwhile, will need one of the biggest closing charges of the championship to keep his career Grand Slam hopes alive.