Wyndham Clark takes six-shot lead into US Open final round as Scottie Scheffler charges into tie for second

Clark maintains control

Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, stayed firmly in command through the third round of the 126th edition at Shinnecock Hills. His even-par 70 left him at seven under overall, six strokes clear of the field. It is tied for the third-largest 54-hole lead in U.S. Open history. Clark navigated a firm and windy course that shredded most of his pursuers, surviving a bogey on the opening hole and a difficult par save from a greenside bunker at the 13th. His resilience came from more than technique, according to mental coach Julie Elion.

“What I really think is that he's in love. All angles are coming together right now. He's working hard mentally; he feels like good things are happening. It's almost like he's brainwashed, or something. He's brainwashed himself.”

Scheffler finds life on the back nine

Scottie Scheffler began Saturday nine shots behind and fell further adrift with bogeys on the first two holes. At two over for the day through nine, his chances looked slim. Then a birdie at the 10th began a turnaround, capped by a 65-foot chip-in at the 14th that triggered a rare mid-round fist pump and a roar that echoed around the course. Another birdie followed at the 15th, and a third at the par-5 16th. Scheffler dropped a shot at the 17th and missed a four-foot birdie try at the 18th but still signed for a 69, one of only two sub-70 rounds of the day. Sunday is his 30th birthday and Father’s Day, and a win would make him the seventh player to complete the career Grand Slam.

“I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament.”

Others in the mix

Scheffler shares second place at one under with Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala and Sam Stevens. Stevens got within two of the lead early in the third round but could not close the gap further. Emiliano Grillo produced the day’s best score, a 67, to climb into a tie for sixth at even par alongside Keith Mitchell, Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele. Schauffele made no putt longer than six feet, seven inches and finished with a 73. Rory McIlroy made a strong push with three straight birdies from the sixth hole, including a 66-foot putt, but lost momentum on the back nine and tumbled out of contention.

Wyndham Clark-7

Scottie Scheffler-1

Tom Kim-1

Sahith Theegala-1

Sam Stevens-1

Emiliano Grillo0

Keith Mitchell0

Sam Burns0

Xander Schauffele0

Wyndham Clark

-7 to par

Scottie Scheffler

-1 to par

Tom Kim

-1 to par

Sahith Theegala

-1 to par

Sam Stevens

-1 to par

Emiliano Grillo

0 to par

Keith Mitchell

0 to par

Sam Burns

0 to par

Xander Schauffele

0 to par

Data from the article text

Historical precedent

No one in 125 previous editions of the U.S. Open has lost a lead of more than five shots going into the final round. In all majors, only Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters fell from a six-shot 54-hole advantage. On the comeback side, Arnold Palmer in 1960 and Johnny Miller in 1973 are the only players to win the U.S. Open having trailed by six or more after three rounds. The course, set in Southampton, New York, has hosted the championship twice before; in 2004 and 2018, just two players combined finished under par.

Looking to Sunday

Clark and Scheffler will tee off in the final pairing at 2:30 p.m. ET. Clark’s form over the past month and his ability to manage Shinnecock’s demanding conditions make him a heavy favourite. The day’s broadcast on NBC and Peacock begins at noon ET. While the margin suggests a procession, the setting and Scheffler’s closing nine provide the possibility of an historic afternoon.

“So much of it kind of depends on what Wyndham does. I could play a great round tomorrow and shoot 3- or 4-under and still lose by seven.”