US Open 2026: Wyndham Clark Leads by Six Shots Heading into Final Round

Wyndham Clark is on the verge of making history at the 126th US Open, leading by six shots after three rounds at Shinnecock Hills. Can he maintain his dominance and secure his second major title?

The 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills has become a stage for Wyndham Clark to showcase his exceptional golfing prowess. The American, who won the 2026 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, is on the brink of achieving a remarkable feat: becoming the first wire-to-wire winner since Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst in 2014.

Clark’s performance has been nothing short of stellar. After an impressive start, he maintained his lead despite challenging conditions that saw the number of players under par drop from an unusually high number to just five. His six-shot lead over the field is the largest seen in this event since Rory McIlroy’s eight-shot advantage at Congressional 15 years ago.

Clark’s Impressive Journey Through the Rounds

Clark’s journey through the tournament has been a testament to his skill and resilience. On a day when the course presented varying challenges—windy conditions for early starters and baked-out greens for those later—Clark managed to stay on course.

He mixed birdies with dropped shots but showcased his ability to save par in crucial moments.

One of the highlights of his third round was a spectacular 5-wood shot from 275 yards to four feet, setting up an eagle at the par-5 16th hole. Despite missing a short putt at the 18th, he signed for a 69, adding to his opening scores of 64-69. This left him with a commanding lead heading into the final round.

The Chase Pack: Who’s Trying to Catch Clark?

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is among those leading the chase, having come home in three-under 32 to sit alongside compatriots Sahith Theegala, Sam Stevens, and Korean Tom Kim. Scheffler, who turns 30 on Sunday, is aiming to complete a career grand slam. However, his missed eagle attempt at the 16th and a squandered birdie chance at the last made his task more challenging.

“It’s extremely challenging out there,” Scheffler declared. “The golf course started to firm up. It was kind of a bit of a guessing game in terms of what kind of bounce you’re going to get, soft or firm.”

Rory McIlroy, the 2011 winner, needs an even better performance. After a promising start with three consecutive birdies, he stumbled on the back nine for the second day running. Sitting ten shots behind Clark, he needs a miraculous comeback on the last day to have any chance of winning.

Historical Context and Notable Performances

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club has a rich history of hosting challenging US Opens. Across the last four US Opens at this venue, only three players out of 625 finished the week under par. The field scoring average of 74.65, or +4.65 relative to par, was the highest for any US Open in the last 18 years.

Emiliano Grillo delivered the round of the day, carding an incredible 67 in the toughest part of the day to move up to joint-sixth on level par. His performance was a highlight in a tournament where the course has been relentless in its difficulty.

As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Wyndham Clark. Can he maintain his lead and secure his second major title? Or will one of the chase pack, led by Scottie Scheffler, stage a remarkable comeback? The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills.