Wyndham Clark seized control on Friday at Shinnecock Hills, posting a 69 to sit at seven under after 36 holes. The 32‑year‑old built a four-shot lead over a field battered by gusts, while world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy struggled to par. Early starters benefited from calmer conditions, widening the gap.

Matt Fitzpatrick, 2022 champion, matched Clark’s three‑under with a 70, joining Xander Schauffele as the nearest challengers. South Korea’s Tom Kim and Sam Stevens also sat at three under, but the wind‑laden half forced McIlroy and Scheffler into a series of bogeys. Scheffler’s putting suffered, ranking 61st in strokes‑gained, as he finished level with McIlroy at two under.

The leaderboard reflects the toughest US Open set‑up in years, with the largest 36‑hole margin since Dustin Johnson’s four‑shot lead in 2018. Clark’s dominant start follows a dramatic personal turnaround after a locker‑room incident last season. With a comfortable cushion, he now eyes the weekend with confidence, while his rivals must navigate both the wind and a demanding course.