This week marks the sixth time Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open, and Wyndham Clark walked off the course Friday having reached a level previously unseen at the iconic venue. Clark backed up a sizzling opening-round 64 with a solid 1-under 69, capping Friday’s performance with a 33-footer for birdie on the 18th hole. That clutch shot moved him to 7-under through 36 holes to break the U.S. Open record at Shinnecock Hills previously held by Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama. While the 2023
U.S. Open champion certainly got the easier side of the weather conditions, there’s no doubt he’s the best player through two rounds of this event. His 7-under total puts him four clear of Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, who share second. Clark has been one of the hottest players in the world over the past month, securing a win, a third-place showing, and a tie for 11th in his last three events. He ranks first worldwide in DataGolf’s strokes gained metric over the last 30
days.
Wyndham Clark, Shinnecock Hills, U.S. Open, 36-hole record, Phil Mickelson, Shigeki Maruyama, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, DataGolf strokes gained
33-footer birdie?? Dang.
So he broke the record in 36 holes, but does that mean he definitely wins the whole thing? I feel like U.S. Open always turns into chaos by Sunday. Also I’m confused why weather matters so much but I guess it does.
The article says “easier side” of weather, so like… if it was easier then the record feels kinda lucky? I’m not saying he’s bad, just that Shinnecock probably helped him. And DataGolf strokes gained?? That sounds made up half the time. Still, 7-under is wild.
I love how the headline makes it sound like he just smashed the course, but it’s really just math and one long putt lol. Six times the Open is at Shinnecock already too, that’s nuts. Mickelson and Maruyama were holding the record and now Clark is, okay cool. I can’t believe he’s four clear already either, that’s like basketball scores for golf.