Scottie Scheffler is 7 Shots Back and Rory McIlroy Is Still Eight Years From His Shinnecock Hills Revenge
Alright, golf fanatics, buckle up! The 2026 U.S. Open is getting absolutely wild at Shinnecock Hills. This third major of the year is a brutal test for the best golfers on the planet, and things are NOT playing out how anyone expected. Wyndham Clark has blasted his way to a somewhat substantial four-shot lead as we head into the final two rounds this weekend. This is huge, especially when you look at who's struggling! Our clear pre-tournament favorite, Scottie Scheffler, is a full seven shots back, looking up at Clark. Rory McIlroy is right there with him, trying to conquer a course that notoriously had his number last time around. The drama is thick, folks!
Clark's Unstoppable Roll and the Chasers Ready to Strike
Wyndham Clark is teeing off for his third round today at 3:45 p.m. ET, the very last player out, carrying that impressive four-shot cushion over the rest of the halved field. This isn't just any course. Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, is hosting for the sixth time and is widely agreed to be one of the toughest tests the USGA puts on its calendar. It demands precision and grit over these 72 holes. Clark has clearly figured out its secrets so far, but don't count out the competition! Xander Schauffele is lurking, coming off a fantastic second round where he fired a 66 and birdied two of his last three holes. Collin Morikawa is also making serious moves, closing his second round strong with three birdies on the back nine. These guys are looking sharp, ready to pressure Clark if he falters!
Trade on Every Game with Kalshi
Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.
Favorites Falling Flat: Scheffler and McIlroy's Uphill Battle
Remember when Scottie Scheffler entered this U.S. Open as the clear favorite? That feels like a distant memory now, doesn't it? He's astonishingly seven shots behind Clark as we head into the weekend, sliding down to fourth on the odds board at 12-1. That ranking probably says more about the respect for his game than his current position, given the deficit. And then there's Rory McIlroy, right there alongside Scheffler, now sitting at 18-1 on the odds board. He's got a real battle on his hands, aiming to finally conquer this beast of a course, which infamously had his number here eight years ago. For both Scheffler and McIlroy, it feels like they're lucky to even be playing this weekend, especially after several other star players completely missed the U.S. Open cut entirely. They need to find another gear, fast.
So, here we are, folks. It all comes down to these final two rounds at one of golf's toughest stages. Can Wyndham Clark maintain his cool and hold onto that lead, or will one of the hungry chasers pull off an epic comeback? You're not going to want to miss a single moment of this major showdown! Catch the early action on USA Network, then switch over to NBC for the main coverage on both Saturday and Sunday. They'll also have featured groups streaming on USOpen.com and through the official U.S. Open mobile app. Round 3 wraps up with coverage from 12-8 p.m. ET on NBC today, and Round 4 closes us out from 12-7 p.m. ET tomorrow. Get ready for some high-stakes golf!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.