Wyndham Clark Has Blown SEVEN 36-Hole Leads, and Rory McIlroy Believes He Can Still Win the US Open

Alright, hold up, everyone! You might think Rory McIlroy is outta it, sitting seven shots back from leader Wyndham Clark with only 36 holes left at the US Open, but if you're not paying attention to Clark's history, you're missing the whole damn story. Because here's the kicker: Wyndham Clark has held *seven* 36-hole leads in his career, and guess how many he's converted into a win? ZERO. That's right, nada. So while Rory might be playing catch-up, this thing is far from over.

The Back Nine Blues and a Glimmer of Hope

Our man Rory posted a second-round 71 at Shinnecock Hills on Friday, and man, it should have been so much better. He was absolutely dialed in on the front nine on day two, playing some fantastic golf that had us all buzzing. But then, oof, the back nine hit him like a Kraken enforcer, and he shot a brutal 38, which unfortunately dropped him outside the top 10. He still managed a respectable 140 for two rounds, but that back nine left a sour taste. McIlroy himself pointed out there was a "draw discrepancy" over the first two days, and he expects that to "even itself out" when everyone plays in the same conditions this weekend. He knows the wrong side of the draw bit him, bu

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t he's not letting it take his spirit.

McIlroy's Confidence: "I Don't Think So!"

After that rollercoaster second round, Rory faced the media, and they went right for the jugular: "Are you too far back?" And you know what he said? "I don't think so!" That's the fighting spirit we love to see! He even threw some history at them, reminding everyone that Brooks Koepka was "pretty far back" going into the weekend in 2018 and still got it done. McIlroy is convinced that if there's any course where you can come back from seven shots down, it's Shinnecock Hills. He admitted he "made three bogeys in a row today" and knows he needs to "get out of getting into those bogey runs and make a few birdies here and there." He knows he's played "enough good golf" to still have a chance. This weekend, it's all on the line. Rory McIlroy clearly has the talent and the ability to win this US Open at Shinnecock Hills. But the biggest question mark isn't just his own game, it's Wyndham Clark. Will Clark finally convert one of those 36-hole leads, or will he, like his past *seven* attempts, come back to the field? For Rory to hoist that trophy, he absolutely has to clean up his game, limit those mistakes, and keep the pressure on. We'll be glued to the screen, cheering him on this weekend, because this is far from over!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.