Wyndham Clark set a 36-hole mark at Shinnecock Hills and holds a four-stroke lead heading into Saturday, but the U.S. Open’s second-round wind and difficulty sent major names like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm home after the cut settled at +4.
Wind can change everything at a U.S. Open. At Shinnecock Hills, it did—at least for some of golf’s biggest names.
After two rounds at the 2026 U.S. Open. Wyndham Clark stands over the weekend’s final two rounds with a four-stroke lead. while the field’s heartbreak accumulated along the cut line on Friday. The carnage was visible fast: players were forced to battle a traditionally tough setup in windy conditions. and several notable golfers—along with past major champions—were left with no chance to chase Sunday.
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, had none of the same trouble. Through two rounds at the Southampton. New York course. he shot -7 to set a 36-hole record for the best U.S. Open score at Shinnecock Hills. He heads into Saturday’s third round still thinking bigger than what he’s already done. saying his best golf hasn’t arrived yet.
The cut line finally settled at +4 by the end of Friday’s action. Anyone scoring +4 or better qualified to play the final two rounds.
That number mattered. The cut at last year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club ended up at +7. In 2018, when the tournament last returned to Shinnecock Hills, the cut settled at +8.
What made this weekend feel different for many players was who couldn’t survive it.
Bryson DeChambeau, the 2024 U.S. Open champion at Pinehurst, posted a +5 and missed the cut. Jon Rahm—who won the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines—also struggled to find his way through the conditions, finishing at +6 and missing the weekend.
Brooks Koepka, a two-time U.S. Open champion who last played Shinnecock Hills during the 2018 edition, was eliminated as well, posting +10.
The list of golfers who missed the cut with their final scores included Viktor Hovland at +5. Billy Horschel at +5. Patrick Reed at +5. Rickie Fowler at +5. Cameron Smith at +6. Shane Lowry at +6. Patrick Cantlay at +6. Si Woo Kim at +6. Sepp Straka at +7. Min Woo Lee at +7. and Mason Howell (a) at +8. J.J. Spaun ended at +8, Adam Scott at +8, and Graeme McDowell at +12.
There’s a clear contrast running through the scores: Clark’s -7 and record pace set a high bar early. while the cut at +4 shows how little margin remained for others when the wind and course tightened. The same week that produces a 36-hole record also delivers abrupt endings—especially for players used to controlling the tempo.
As Saturday’s third round approaches, the field’s shape is already decided. Clark’s four-stroke lead gives him room to attack. and his comment that his best golf is still ahead suggests he expects to raise the level again—right when the players who are still standing will have the least room to answer.
2026 U.S. Open Shinnecock Hills Wyndham Clark Bryson DeChambeau Jon Rahm cut line Brooks Koepka Viktor Hovland LIV Golf major champions