Wyndham Clark heads into the weekend at Shinnecock Hills with a four-shot lead and a scoring record, while also seeking to repair his image after the US Open meltdown at Oakmont in 2025 and chase a second major on American soil.
Clark opened with a 64 in fog-affected conditions, finishing that round on Friday morning with two steady pars, then added a one-under 69 that featured three birdies and two bogeys, including a closing birdie that moved Clark to seven under, the best 36-hole total recorded in a US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
A scoring record at Shinnecock! Wyndham Clark has the best 36-hole score ever in a @USOpenGolf at Shinnecock Hills. pic.twitter.com/FwHcvXELsyPGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 19, 2026
This is the first time since Clark lifted
the US Open trophy in 2023 that Clark has recorded consecutive rounds in the 60s at a major, and that earlier triumph also remains Clark's only top-20 result in a major championship played in the United States.
Kim Joo-hyung, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Sam Stevens and Xander Schauffle are Clark's nearest challengers at three under after two rounds, with Collin Morikawa alone at two under, while Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler sit at level par but maintain realistic hopes of another top-10 finish in this season's majors.
| Player | Score | Position after 36 holes |
|---|---|---|
| Wyndham Clark | -7 | Leader |
| Kim Joo-hyung | -3 | Tied 2nd |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | -3 | Tied 2nd |
| Sam Stevens | -3 | Tied 2nd |
| Xander Schauffle | -3 | Tied 2nd |
| Collin Morikawa | -2 | 6th |
| Rory McIlroy | Even | Tied 7th |
| Scottie Scheffler | Even | Tied 7th |
McIlroy posted one over par in the second round, during McIlroy's 70th major appearance, while Scheffler carded a 68, and both players remain in position to extend their run of top-10 results across all four majors in 2026 if they can mount weekend charges at Shinnecock Hills.
Clark’s current push comes three years after Clark’s victory at the 2023 US Open, which is still Clark’s single major win and only top-20 result at a major within the United States, and Clark now has the chance to claim this major for a second time while also reshaping public opinion.
Clark’s motivation is sharpened by what happened at Oakmont in 2025, when Clark shot matching rounds of 74 to miss the cut, reacted in anger and damaged a locker, an incident that drew criticism from fans and peers and has clearly stayed with Clark into this season.
Speaking about that outburst and the reaction that followed, Clark said: "I've gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so. The thing that's unfortunate is that's not who I am, what happened last year, said Clark. I'm hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident. You know, I really feel like I can show people that I'm fun and outgoing, I'm fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment. "
Clark admitted that the current score could have been even lower, saying: "I really felt like I could be in double digits, but you know, the great thing about that is I didn't feel like I had my best, and I still am leading as of right now. "
The mixture of a scoring record, a four-shot cushion and the presence of major champions and world number one contenders chasing from behind creates a tense outlook for the final two rounds, with Clark’s form and response to past pressure likely to shape the story at Shinnecock Hills.
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