Wyndham Clark Approaches Second US Open as Scheffler Chases

Wyndham Clark led the pack during the third round of the US Open, managing to maintain his six-shot advantage over close competitors, including Scottie Scheffler, Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim, and Sam Stevens. Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, signed for a round of 70, bringing his total to 203. The day proved challenging for most players, with only two managing to finish below par: Scheffler with a 69 and Emiliano Grillo with a 67, ensuring they remain in contention.

Sam Stevens surprised many by staying in the top positions, reminiscent of JJ Spaun’s performance last year. Rory McIlroy struggled with a round of 73, putting him at 213 and making his path to victory difficult.

Tom Kim's resurgence is noteworthy; after a bright start in 2022, he experienced a downturn but is now showing promise again at Shinnecock Hills, a demanding course. Despite some struggles, Clark’s performance has been solid. He faced a day largely focused on survival, not scoring as many birdies as in the prior rounds but managing his putts well.

At Shinnecock, even the leader cannot afford to relax, but Clark has remained focused, even after some missteps, such as a three-putt on the 1st and 15th holes. He managed to recover with an impressive eagle following his mistake on the 15th hole. If not for an unexpected miss on the 18th green, his lead could have stood at seven strokes.

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and a four-time major champion, kept himself in contention despite a rocky start that included two bogeys. He found his rhythm with a birdie on the challenging 10th hole and continued to score well from the 14th to the 16th holes. Scheffler noted, “I tried to stay calm after the two bogeys, and I did a good job of staying in the tournament. I’ll need a really good round tomorrow if I want to catch Wyndham.”

Emiliano Grillo, who seeks his first major championship, despite previously commenting on his dislike for Shinnecock from the 2018 edition, has gained experience which he hopes will aid him this time around. He finished last year with a top 20 at Oakmont, showing he knows how to navigate tough courses.