U.S. Open Releases Round 3 Pairings as Wyndham Clark Takes 4-Shot Lead

Q: Is Wyndham Clark's four-shot lead safe on a course designed to punish every mistake with punishing winds?

No. A four-shot lead at Shinnecock Hills is strong, but it is not safe in the conditions expected this weekend. Clark has earned real separation at seven under, backing his opening 64 with a steady 69, and his U.S. Open pedigree matters. He has also shown better composure after a difficult 2025, and that experience could help him manage the pressure of leading a major. But Shinnecock is built to erase comfort quickly. William Flynn’s design amplifies the prevailing wind on multiple holes, and forecasts call for gusty conditions that could reach roughly 20 to 40 mph on Saturday. On this course, par is often an excellent score, and small misses can turn into bogeys or worse because of exposed greens, shaved run-offs and awkward angles into pins. History also argues against calling the lead secure. Shinnecock has a reputation for punishing front-runners, and only a handful of players have finished under par here across recent U.S. Opens. Even with a more moderate USGA setup this year, the course remains one of the hardest championship tests in golf. The biggest reason the lead is vulnerable is the quality behind him. Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick are only four back, and Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are close enough that one hot round in heavy wind could change the tournament quickly. Clark is in the best position, but at Shinnecock, with this forecast and this chasing pack, his lead is an advantage, not protection.

3 articles · Updated · golfchannel.com · Jun 20

Wyndham Clark will tee off at 3:45 p.m. EDT with Matt Fitzpatrick in Saturday’s final pairing at Shinnecock Hills, where the 2023 champion starts the third round four shots clear.
Sam Stevens and Xander Schauffele follow in the penultimate group at 3:34 p.m., with Tom Kim and Collin Morikawa one pairing ahead at 3:23 p.m.
NBC and Peacock carry live coverage from noon to 8 p.m. ET after Golf Channel’s “Live From the U.S. Open” airs from 8 to 10 a.m. and USA Sports begins live action at 10 a.m.
The third round opens at 9:00 a.m. EDT with Dylan Wu and Jacob Bridgeman, setting up a full Saturday schedule before the tournament heads into Sunday’s final round.