Wyndham Clark leads the US Open by six shots heading into the final round at Shinnecock Hills
Scottie Scheffler has positioned himself for a tilt at completing the career grand slam, though he faces a formidable challenge in overcoming Wyndham Clark’s commanding six-shot advantage at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
The world number one, who made straight for the practice green following his round of 69 that lifted him into a share of second place, celebrates his 30th birthday on Sunday. With Father’s Day also falling on the same date, he’ll be hoping for a treble celebration.
Yet Scheffler must not only work out how to post a score low enough to apply genuine pressure on Clark – who is attempting to become the first player since Martin Kaymer in 2014 to lead a US Open from start to finish – but also rely on his fellow American’s fortune and recovery skills finally running out.
Clark demonstrated remarkable resilience, converting vital par saves from 14 feet, seven feet, six feet and three separate putts from five feet. He also delivered some spectacular shotmaking, none better than a 275-yard approach that finished inside five feet to set up the tournament’s first eagle at the par-five 16th.
That stroke extended his cushion to seven over his nearest challengers, and Clark’s good fortune persisted at the following hole where, despite finding thick rough, he received a free drop due to a television tower before being permitted to replace his ball after it rolled away twice.
Questions were also raised regarding the extent of his ‘gardening’ along his putting lines during the final holes on the Poa annua surfaces, which are notorious for becoming progressively more challenging as the day progresses. The regulations permit golfers to tap down spike marks, though Clark took a considerable amount of time perfecting his putting lines.
A missed five-foot par putt on the final hole gave hope to those trailing behind, as he completed a level-par round of 70.
Since the first Masters in 1934 there have been 13 previous instances of players holding a six-shot advantage or greater after three rounds, with Greg Norman’s 1996 collapse at Augusta being the sole exception to converting such leads into victory.
Scheffler, who will partner Clark in the final pairing, commented: “I think it’s appropriate to understand what’s at stake,” adding: “I think understanding the moment and giving it your best shot I think is all part of the process.
“I mean, I’d rather be leading but I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament.”
While Scheffler managed to stay competitive, Rory McIlroy’s quest for his first US Open title since making his major breakthrough in 2011 ended in disappointment. After a promising outward half of two-under 33, his challenge unravelled spectacularly.
Three consecutive birdies from the fifth brought him within four shots of Clark, who was just teeing off, but an overhit approach at the challenging 10th for the second day running sparked a collapse. Five dropped shots on the back nine resulted in a 40 and an overall 73, leaving him three over par with his hopes in tatters.
Clark remained confident about his prospects, saying: “I feel good. I have got more and more comfortable every time I have got in these positions,”.
“I’m hoping I can bring my A-game finally.”
There are only five players under par, with Sahith Theegala (70), Tom Kim (72) and Sam Stevens (72) joining Scheffler, while four sit at level par. English pair Matt Fitzpatrick, who laboured to a 74, and Tommy Fleetwood, who battled his way to a level-par 70, are one over.
Fleetwood memorably carded a final-round 63 when the US Open last visited Shinnecock, falling short by a single stroke, but given the present conditions, a similar performance appears improbable.
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