Full Breakdown
Wyndham Clark Leads Into Third Round of 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
6/20/2026, 6:22:11 AM
Background: Weather Delay and Second-Round Context
Dense fog on Thursday morning delayed the opening round by two hours, forcing the unfinished first-round players to resume at 6:35 a.m. ET on Friday. The USGA shifted Friday’s tee-times 15 minutes later than planned, placing Wyndham Clark, Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland together at 7:46 a.m., three strokes behind Clark after the first round. Matt Fitzpatrick, Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland started at 7:45 a.m., while Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose began at 8:29 a.m. The afternoon wave, which benefited from calmer winds, started at 1:40 p.m., featuring Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg and Tommy Fleetwood.
Weather Outlook
The afternoon wave benefited from calmer winds after the Thursday delay, and the forecast for Friday’s second round will determine whether that advantage persists into the weekend.
Third-Round Schedule and Leaderboard Overview
Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, entered Saturday’s third round with a four-shot lead at 7 under. The USGA placed him in the final pairing with 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick at 3:45 p.m. ET. Close behind, Xander Schauffele and Sam Stevens tee at 3:45 p.m., while Scottie Scheffler and Brian Harman start at 2:01 p.m. Rory McIlroy and Maverick McNealy tee at 2:12 p.m., and Jordan Spieth with Joaquin Niemann begin at 10:55 a.m. The schedule also features amateurs Jackson Koivun and Miles Russell, who tee together at 10:17 a.m.
Schedule Details (Timeline)
- 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Early groups include Dylan Wu, Jacob Bridgeman, Nico Echavarria and Hideki Matsuyama.
- 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: Mid-day pairings feature Cameron Young, Sungjae Im and Andrew Putnam with John Parry.
- 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.: Chase group includes Scottie Scheffler, Brian Harman and Maverick McNealy with Rory McIlroy.
- 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.: Final pairings are Collin Morikawa with Tom Kim, Sam Stevens with Xander Schauffele, and the championship-defining duo of Matt Fitzpatrick and Wyndham Clark.
Statistical Snapshot
- Clark’s lead: four strokes ahead of a four-player tie for second.
- Combined under-par of Clark, Johnson and Woodland after round one: 10 under.
- Two amateurs tee together in the third round, a rare major-championship preview.
Official Statements & USGA Scheduling
The United States Golf Association (USGA) released the third-round pairings, positioning the defending champion in the final group with the 2022 champion. The organization also adjusted Friday’s tee-times to accommodate Thursday’s fog delay, ensuring all competitors completed the first round before beginning the second.
Implications for the Championship
Clark’s four-stroke cushion puts him in a commanding position, but the tightly packed chase group—featuring former major winners and current world-ranked players—creates a high-stakes environment for Saturday. The final-pairing format, with the leader teeing last, heightens focus on whether the lead can withstand pressure from seasoned rivals.
