Wyndham Clark surged to a four-stroke lead at the US Open after two rounds, with the gusting wind at Shinnecock Hills proving the biggest obstacle for top contenders Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Clark, the 2023 champion, followed his opening 64 with a 69 to reach seven under par, becoming the first player to hit that mark after 36 holes at a Shinnecock US Open. His nearest challengers are four shots back: Matt Fitzpatrick, Tom Kim, Xander Schauffele, and Sam Stevens.
McIlroy and Scheffler, ranked world No. 1 and No. 2, finished at even par after battling the worst of the wind. “The side of the draw played in the windiest conditions, and the scores show that,” McIlroy said. Scheffler called the wind “the biggest challenge” and struggled with putting, ranking 61st in strokes gained on the greens.
Clark’s lead is the largest at the US Open since Dustin Johnson led by four at Shinnecock in 2018—though Johnson went on to lose to Brooks Koepka. Clark, who infamously smashed a locker after missing the cut last year, now seeks redemption. “I’m hoping I can win back the fans,” he said. “I really feel like I could be in double digits, but I didn’t have my best and I’m still leading.”
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 champion, put together a gritty 70 to stay in contention. McIlroy reached three under early but faltered with poor wedge play on the back nine, suffering three straight bogeys. He responded with consecutive birdies but a double-bogey on the 15th left him at even par. “Even par isn’t terrible. I’m only three back of second,” he said.
Scheffler, seeking a career Grand Slam, carded a 68 but remained frustrated with his putting. England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, Aaron Rai, Justin Rose, and Ludvig Aberg are among those at one over. Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut for a third straight major, and Jon Rahm’s back-nine collapse ended his weekend hopes.
With the wind expected to persist, Clark’s composure and lead make him the man to beat.