Wyndham Clark Is 7-Under and Shinnecock Hills Has *Never* Let Anyone Win From There
Alright, settle in, Emerald City, because if you're not watching the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills right now, you are MISSING IT. Wyndham Clark, our dude from the 2023 U.S. Open, just ABSOLUTELY torched this course over 36 holes, throwing down a ridiculous 7-under par! That's not just a good score, folks. That's a new SCORING RECORD for a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills!
You’d think he’s got one hand on the trophy already, right? Not so fast. Shinnecock Hills has a brutal, historic twist. Eight years ago, Dustin Johnson had a four-stroke lead at this exact U.S. Open, at this exact course, going into the weekend. Guess what? He didn’t convert it. And get this: ZERO, absolutely ZERO, previous 36-hole leaders at Shinnecock Hills have ended up as the champion after 72 holes. Clark’s rocking a four-stroke lead himself. History has a way of repeating itself here, and that has to be living rent-free in his head.
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.
Shinnecock's Secret Weapon and Who Can Strike Back
It’s not just the pressure, it's the course itself. Shinnecock Hills has been surprisingly, well, gentle? So far, anyway. The United States Golf Association has been teasing us all week, talking caution, and even with some poorly forecasted winds, they haven't cranked up the difficulty. Xander Schauffele, who’s currently T2 at 3-under, put it best: "I truly believe if the USGA wanted to have some fun and with the wind coming through and firm up the greens, over-par will win this golf tournament again, sitting at whatever all these guys under par. I do believe this course can be that way." Syringing has been the word of the week, and while humidity might keep things moist, the USGA has options. The plan, apparently, is to build this course up, a real crescendo for the weekend. And honestly, it *needs* to. We saw Bryson DeChambeau's missed cut streak continue and Jon Rahm eject late. This course *can* bite.
The "Cockroach" and the Comeback Crew
Speaking of Schauffele, this guy is a straight-up cockroach, and I mean that in the best possible way. When things get crazy, he just survives. He played lights out on Friday, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation. If he keeps that up, he’s got a shot at the third leg of his career grand slam. Rory McIlroy, who’s seven back, isn’t giving up hope either. He remembered Brooks Koepka was "pretty far back going into the weekend in 2018," and said, "if there's a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you're seven back going into the weekend like I am, it's definitely this one." The full tee times for Saturday are out there, and the leaderboard is stacked with guys who want to rewrite history.
So, get ready, Seattle. This weekend is going to be WILD. Can Clark snap the Shinnecock curse and cap off that record-setting start? Or will the USGA finally unleash the beast, and one of these hungry contenders come storming back? You know I’ll be glued to every single shot. Don't miss a minute of this drama!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.