Full Breakdown
Wyndham Clark Holds Four-Shot Lead Heading into Third Round of 2026 U.S. Open
6/20/2026, 12:49:03 PM
Third-Round Schedule Overview
Saturday’s third round at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club begins at 9:00 a.m. ET. “Live From the U.S. Open” opens on Golf Channel from 8:00–10:00 a.m., followed by NBC/Peacock from noon to 8:00 p.m. ET. The USGA streams on USOpen.com and the USGA App.
Background and Leaderboard Context
After two rounds, 2023 champion Wyndham Clark leads by four strokes. Sources differ on his total—one lists seven-under, another six-under. The cut was set at +4, four strokes lower than the +8 cut at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock, and eliminated Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka. Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele and Sam Stevens trail by four strokes. Clark’s margin ties the largest after two rounds at Shinnecock.
Key Contenders and Pairings
The final pairing features Clark with 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick at 3:45 p.m. ET. At 3:34 p.m., Collin Morikawa tees with Tom Kim, while Xander Schauffele partners Sam Stevens at 3:45 p.m. Earlier, Scottie Scheffler tees with Brian Harman at 2:01 p.m., and Maverick McNealy partners Rory McIlroy at 2:12 p.m. Morning groups include Jordan Spieth with Joaquin Niemann at 10:55 a.m. and Russell Henley with Dustin Johnson at 11:06 a.m.
Full Tee-Time Timeline
- 9:00 a.m. – Dylan Wu, Jacob Bridgeman (both +4)
- 10:55 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Joaquin Niemann (+3)
- 2:01 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Brian Harman (even)
- 3:34 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Tom Kim (-2)
- 3:45 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark (-7)
Statistics and Scores
Clark leads by four strokes. The cut at +4 reduced the field to 72 and was four strokes lower than the +8 cut at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock. Scores for the chase pack range from even to three under, with several past major champions within four strokes of the lead.
Implications of the Lead
A four-stroke advantage after two rounds positions Clark for a potential wire-to-wire win, a feat not achieved at Shinnecock since Martin Kaymer’s 2014 victory. Maintaining the lead will require navigating the course’s demanding layout while the chase group seeks to close the gap. The margin ties the largest after two rounds at Shinnecock.
Why It Matters / Impact
Winning the third round would give Clark a second major title, following his 2023 U.S. Open victory, and could make him the first wire-to-wire U.S. Open champion since Martin Kaymer’s 2014 win. The chase group includes past major winners and players such as Scottie Scheffler, who is pursuing a career Grand Slam, underscoring the tournament’s significance for multiple career narratives.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Clark’s exact two-round total—one reports seven-under, another six-under. No further clarification is provided in the available material.
Official Statements & Responses
Live television begins on Golf Channel at 8:00 a.m., moves to NBC/Peacock at noon, and runs through 8:00 p.m. ET. The USGA streams on USOpen.com and the USGA App, while Golf Channel’s “Live From the U.S. Open” wraps up after play concludes each day.
