Clark leads the US Open by a wide margin after two rounds at Shinnecock Hills

Wyndham Clark dominates the U.S. Open after two rounds at Shinnecock Hills. The defending champion, who carded a pair of 69s (64-69), leads by four strokes over Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Sam Stevens. Rory McIlroy, struggling on the back nine, sits seven shots behind the leader.

Clark has set the lowest 36-hole score (133, -7) ever recorded at this U.S. Open venue. The Northern Irishman followed up an opening round delayed by fog and weather interruptions with a second round that included three birdies and two bogeys. McIlroy endured a chaotic back nine: after a strong start with a birdie at the fifth hole, he made three consecutive bogeys on the final nine, capped by a double bogey at the 15th for a final-round 71 (+1). Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Matt Fitzpatrick complete the top five, three shots behind the leader, while Scottie Scheffler, who shot a 68 in round two, sits tied under par. Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time major winner, missed the cut for the third consecutive major. McIlroy, who admitted struggling with the wind on the back nine, tried to salvage his round with clutch approaches, but distance errors ultimately left him fighting for top-10 honors. "I was often flying it too long—it was tough," he told Sky Sports. Clark, aiming for a second major title after his 2023 victory, will tee off in the third round with a comfortable lead. Play resumes on Saturday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Golf fans can follow the entire tournament without commitment via Now TV. Elsewhere, attention turns to other marquee events, including qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Scotland, while ATP Finals also promise surprises with Fils and Rublev in the Barcelona Open final.