Wyndham Clark will carry an enormous six-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at the US Open. One can only pity the lockers of Shinnecock Hills if he blows it from here.
But such a capitulation appears incredibly unlikely after three days in which the controversial American has dominated both the field and conditions.
Where others have been blown to all corners in the 30mph gusts, the 2023 champion has fused the steady with the spectacular to extend his advantage round-by-round. His latest offering of 70, on a day when the pin positions were branded ‘ridiculous’ by Bob MacIntyre, was a fine effort indeed.
There might be some consternation that the four-way tie for second includes Scottie Scheffler, which is testament to the world No 1’s ability to compete when he is far from his best, but Clark’s anxieties ought to be moderated. In short, he is a country mile clear at seven under par and this fiendish lay-out will punish any chaser who sets off with too much aggression.
As such, Clark is moving closer to redemption, which he has spoken about this week as a legacy of his behaviour last year, when the tournament was held at Oakmont Country Club and he smashed a vintage locker in rage. Among other sanctions, he was suspended from that historic cradle of American golf and ordered to undertake anger-management sessions.
Clark’s contrition has been clear of late, but his standing with the galleries is notably tricky. Perhaps this performance, if it concludes with victory, will move that dial.
Wyndham Clark will carry an enormous six-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at the US Open
The American is pictured leaving the course with girlfriend Emily Tanner after shooting 70
Scottish star Bob MacIntyre branded the pin positions ‘ridiculous’ on Day 3 of the tournament
Certainly, the showing to date has been impressive – to understand the quality of his score, consider that only five men are under par for the tournament, with Scheffler joined at one under by Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala and Sam Stevens. Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are two further back, with the latter’s challenge hammered by a 74 after opening with three bogeys.
Rory McIlroy had initially raced into contention at two under after an outward 33, including a 66-foot birdie at the sixth, but for a second day in succession he wilted on the way back in. Playing the inward half in 40, featuring five bogeys and countless loose wedges, he closed with a 73 to sit three over.
Clark endured no equivalent turbulence. There were four bogeys on his card, but they were balanced by two birdies and a quite remarkable eagle on the 16th, a 612-yard that was being hammered by a right-to-left wind. Those gusts had dropped substantially by the time Clark passed through in the last group, but that is to take nothing from the brilliance of the three wood he launched from 275 yards to four feet, via a huge, boomeranging fade against the breeze. It was the only three on the hole all week.
For the chasers, there might be some comfort that Clark bogeyed the last hole, but their collective task on Sunday is steep, even on a course where disasters are easy to find.
Clark, who holds the biggest 54-hole lead at the US Open since McIlroy’s eight-stroke advantage in 2011, said: ‘Scottie is the best player in the world, and he’s probably going to play really good. He always does, but it’s nice to have a six-shot lead on him.
‘I’m just going to keep approaching it the same way. If I go out and execute and go through my process and hit the shots I know I can hit, I like my chances.’
