Scottie Scheffler turned 30 on Sunday, Father’s Day, and if he is to complete the career grand slam with a US Open win at Shinnecock Hills he will have to produce something special to reel in Wyndham Clark’s six-stroke lead. The world number one shot a 69 to move into joint second and went straight to the putting green afterwards, aware that the man ahead of him is bidding to become the first wire-to-wire US Open winner since Martin Kaymer in 2014.
Clark’s round of level-par 70 was a study in escapology. He made crucial par saves from five feet three times, from six, seven and 14 feet, and produced the week’s first eagle at the par-five 16th with a 275-yard approach to inside five feet. That gave him a seven-shot advantage, and his luck held at the next hole: after finding heavy rough he claimed a free drop from a television tower, then was allowed to place his ball after it twice rolled away. There were also raised eyebrows about the amount of time he spent tapping down spike marks on the Poa annua greens, though the rules permit it. On the last, he missed a five-foot par putt, offering a sliver of encouragement to the chasing pack.
“Wyndham Clark leads by six shots at the US Open; Scottie Scheffler chases grand slam.”
Since the first Masters in 1934, 13 players have led by six or more shots through 54 holes – and only Greg Norman at Augusta in 1996 failed to close out victory. “I think it’s appropriate to understand what’s at stake,” said Scheffler, who will play in the final group with Clark. “I’d rather be leading but I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament.”
Rory McIlroy’s hopes of a first US Open title since his 2011 breakthrough collapsed after the turn. He went out in a two-under 33 with three successive birdies from the fifth moving him to within four of Clark, but then overshot the 10th green for the second day running – the first of five bogeys on an inward nine of 40. A round of 73 left him at three over, his challenge in tatters.
Clark holds the biggest 54-hole lead in a USGA event in 15 years. Scheffler has the chance to make it a triple celebration – birthday, Father’s Day and a major – but first he must find a way to score significantly enough to put pressure on a man whose good fortune and escapology skills have yet to desert him.