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Wyndham Clark Leads 2026 U.S. Open, Eyes Redemption

6/20/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Wyndham Clark leads the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, sitting at 7-under par after two rounds.
He says a new putter offsets poor drives and his approach and GIR numbers rank among the field’s best.
Clark hopes the lead will help him win back fans after a 2025 locker-room outburst.
Veteran champions Judy Rankin and Andy North noted that U.S. Open leaders often falter later at Shinnecock Hills.

History

Historical Context

In 1974 Shinnecock Hills hosted its fourth U.S. Open, where Hale Irwin won with a 277 total, two strokes ahead of early leader John Mahaffey’s 279. The course, first used for the Open in 1896, had been narrowed and re-grassed mid-century, a pattern repeated in later championships such as Floyd’s 1986 win and Koepka’s 2018 defense, underscoring its lasting difficulty.

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Story summary

Wyndham Clark leads the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, sitting at 7-under par after two rounds.
He says a new putter offsets poor drives and his approach and GIR numbers rank among the field’s best.
Clark hopes the lead will help him win back fans after a 2025 locker-room outburst.
Veteran champions Judy Rankin and Andy North noted that U.S. Open leaders often falter later at Shinnecock Hills.

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