Wyndham Clark takes four-shot lead into weekend as Rory McIlroy surges in third round of US Open at Shinnecock Hills

Leader at the halfway stage

Wyndham Clark, the 2023 champion, built a commanding four-shot lead through 36 holes at seven under par. Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim were tied second at three under. Clark will attempt to become the first second-round leader to win the US Open in five editions, after each of the previous four halfway pacesetters failed to close out the title.

McIlroy's early charge

Rory McIlroy began the third round at even par, seven strokes back, and quickly made up ground. After a bogey at the third, he reeled off three consecutive birdies, including a 66-foot putt from off the sixth green. The run lifted him to two under, and when Clark opened with a bogey on the first hole, the Northern Irishman sat just four shots off the lead. McIlroy, seeking his first major victory since 2014 and his first US Open title since 2011, partnered Maverick McNealy in the afternoon as Shinnecock's scoring conditions stiffened.

I think the weather has been perfect. They've got everything back on track, so I'd say people should expect the Shinnecock they've gotten to know over the past couple of decades.

Other contenders

Sam Stevens birdied the first to reach four under, putting him just two behind Clark. Xander Schauffele stayed at three under after two pars. Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 champion, bogeyed the opening hole to drop alongside McIlroy at two under. Emiliano Grillo delivered the round of the day so far, a four-under 67 that included four successive birdies from the sixth, moving him to level par for the tournament.

I looked at the weather this morning. I thought we were going to get nine very windy and then nine not so windy, but it just kept going up. It never slowed down. I played solid all day. Four birdies on the front nine. Obviously when you stand on the 10th tee at four-under par in the US Open, you're just rushing to get it done and finish it.

Scheffler's steady hand

World number one Scottie Scheffler clawed back into contention with a second-round 68, leaving him at even par and tied for 11th. The four-time major champion needs a US Open title to complete the career Grand Slam and will turn 30 on Sunday. His round was characteristically clean: three birdies against a single bogey, with 12 fairways hit and 15 greens in regulation.

Doesn't really matter to me. I just play.

Tough conditions and a historic cut

Shinnecock Hills lived up to its reputation. After two days of gusty winds, greens were dried and sped up for the weekend, with the USGA reportedly pushing them to a stimp reading of 11. The cut fell at four over par, advancing 67 professionals and five amateurs. A list of former champions missed the weekend: Bryson DeChambeau (2020, 2024), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Jon Rahm (2021) and defending champion J.J. Spaun. Koepka's early exit snapped a streak of 11 consecutive made cuts at the US Open.