Wyndham Clark closing in on history following U.S. Open third round

Wyndham Clark stands alone at the 2026 U.S. Open.

On Saturday, as other competitors in the field struggled at the notoriously difficult Shinnecock Hills course, Clark remained composed, shooting a 70 to take a commanding six-stroke lead into Sunday's final round.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion, who led entering Saturday, is looking to become the first 36-hole leader to win the U.S. Open since Jack Nicklaus in 1980. His current score (-7) is also on track to be the lowest score by a U.S. Open champ in four previous 72-hole tournaments held at Shinnecock.

Only one golfer has ever lost a major after taking a six-stroke lead into the final 18 holes: Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters.

Wyndham Clark's putter saves the day heading into U.S. Open fourth round

Even with multiple chances to stumble, Clark avoided any prolonged dive, putting himself in a fantastic position of earning his second grand slam victory. His up-and-down game was fantastic as he struggled for the first time this tournament at hitting greens in regulation.

Per U.S. Open stats, Clark reached the green with two putts to par on 28-of-36 (77.8 percent) holes during the first two rounds. On Saturday, that rate plummeted to 50 percent (9-of-18), but the PGA Tour's No. 34-ranked golfer escaped largely unscathed with multiple par-saving putts. Several came early on the back nine, including at Nos. 10, 11 and 13, the latter the most unlikely, given 26 percent odds of making the hole before the putt.