US Open: Clark takes six-shot lead into final round - but second-placed Scheffler welcomes challenge

Wyndham Clark takes a healthy lead into the final round at Shinnecock Hills. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

All of the storylines are there. Father’s Day. Birthday. The career Grand Slam.

But one big obstacle stands in the way of Scottie Scheffler on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills: Wyndham Clark.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion is on a month-long hot streak that has continued through three rounds of the 126th U.S. Open, where he’ll take a six-shot lead into the final round.

It is tied for the third-largest 54-hole lead in U.S. Open history.

To greet him on the first tee Sunday afternoon will be Scheffler, the four-time major champion whose struggles this year have been more pronounced than at any time in the last four seasons but who still is within site of a monumental achievement: a victory at the U.S. Open that would complete the career Grand Slam.

“I think it's appropriate to understand what's at stake,” said Scheffler, whose score of 69 was one of just two under par in the third round and who turns 30 on Sunday. “I've worked really hard for a long time to have a chance to win golf tournaments and to win major championships.

“I think understanding the moment and giving it your best shot is all part of the process.. .. I want to be in these positions. This is why we practice and play, to have the opportunity to win golf tournaments,. And that’s what (Sunday) is.

“I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament. . . But overall, proud of how we played on the back nine, and going into tomorrow, just continue to do what I need to do and try and execute.” 

It’s going to take a lot of proper execution and probably a good bit of help, too, from Clark, who has been seemingly playing a different golf course than the rest of the field.

Scottie Scheffler watches his shot on the first hole during the third round. Picture: David J. Phillip/AP Photo

He has led after every round and increased his four-shot advantage through 36 holes to the seemingly unsurmountable lead with an even-par 70, missing a third straight round in the 60s when he bogeyed the final hole.

And while the course has gotten progressively harder – there were 16 players under par after the first round, 10 after the second and now just five – Clark has barely flinched.

He bogeyed the opening hole and only Sam Stevens – who has never won on the PGA Tour – got as close as two shots.

Stevens is tied with Scheffler, Sahith Theegala and Tom Kim for second.

Rory McIlroy made an early run up the leaderboard, getting within three shots of the lead with three straight birdies through the eighth hole. But his momentum stalled when he missed the green from 50 yards at the 10th hole and made a bogey.

He ended-up with a back-nine 40 and a score of 73 to fall into a tie for 17th, 11 shots back of Clark.

Major champions Xander Schauffele (73) and Matt Fitzpatrick (74), who played in the final group with Clark, also fell back.

Clark has been on a strong run of late after a period of poor golf that coincided with a couple of high-profile issues in which his temper got the best of him. He flung a club and got a rebuke last year at the PGA Championship, then went through a public scolding after it was learned his trashed his locker after missing the cut at the U.S. Open played at Oakmont.

He shot a final-round 60 last month to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, his first win in more than two years and his fourth PGA Tour victory. He added a third-place finish at the Memorial Tournament and tied for 11th at the Canadian Open.

Clark leads the field in scrambling, getting up and down seven of nine times Saturday and 13 of 17 times for the tournament. He is also second in the field in strokes gained tee to green and first in putting.

It has been a strong performance and has put him within another round of a second U.S. Open title.

“I’ve got a big challenge (on Sunday),” Clark said. “I’m playing with the best player in the world on one of the best courses in the world.” 

Scheffler is trying for his first but he’ll need to buck history to do it. No player has blown more than a five-shot lead through 54 holes at the U.S. Open. If he is able to prevail, he would become just the seventh player to complete a career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

“I'd rather be leading,” said Scheffler, who has 20 PGA Tour victories and four major titles. “I mean, after three days, like I said, I've been -- we've been battling hard for a few days, and I did a good job of keeping myself in the tournament. I'll need a really nice round tomorrow if I'm going to try and catch Wyndham.”