Wyndham Clark remained atop a stacked leaderboard after Friday's second round at Shinnecock Hills, posting a seven-under total to hold the U.S. Open lead by a single stroke. The former champion is being chased by a pack of multiple major winners, with the field tightening as the weekend approaches.
Rory McIlroy appeared poised to challenge Clark after a strong start, but a chaotic back nine derailed his charge. McIlroy shot a 71 on Friday and sits seven shots back, seven strokes off the pace. A missed six-footer at the ninth hole that would have moved him within three proved costly.
Dylan Wu secured the final spot in the field by sinking a 7-foot par putt at the 18th hole, making the cut exactly on the number. The cut line set a new tournament record for Shinnecock Hills, though several prominent names failed to qualify for the weekend and will not play Saturday or Sunday.
The U.S. Open record cut highlights how punishing the course has been, even as Clark continues to thrive. A former champion at the 2023 U.S. Open, he is well-positioned to secure a second title if he maintains his form over the final two rounds.
The third round begins Saturday morning at Shinnecock Hills, with Clark teeing off as the solo leader. A host of major winners lurk just behind him, promising a tightly contested finish on Long Island.