Wyndham Clark has established a six-stroke lead heading into the final round of the US Open at the tricky Shinnecock Hills course in Southampton, New York.
Clark’s efforts in the third round meant world number one Scottie Scheffler’s chances of clinching a career Grand Slam appear slim.
A third straight day of windy conditions tested even the most experienced players, but 2023 champion Clark held his nerve as he put up two birdies and an eagle against four bogeys to card an even-par 70 for the day.
He is 7-under-par for the tournament.
Scheffler (69) was in a four-way tie for second place at 1-under and would become only the seventh man to win all four of golf’s blue-riband events if he is able to close the gap created by his US compatriot Clark.
South Korea’s Tom Kim, and Americans Sam Stevens and Sahith Theegala share second spot on the leaderboard with Scheffler.
Clark offset a bogey on the first hole with a birdie on the fifth thanks to a sublime approach shot.
He had to regain his composure after landing in the bunker on his way to another bogey on the par-four eighth hole, calling it “the worst shot of my life”.
After a birdie on the 14th hole and a bogey on the 15th, he hit the finest shot of the week for an eagle on the par-five 16th, plopping his approach shot directly on the green just four feet from the hole.
Clark was ready to head home with a seven-stroke lead before he inexplicably missed a short putt for a bogey on the par-four 18th hole.
No Australians made the cut for the first time since 1959.
The cut came in at 4-over, with 67 professionals and five amateurs advancing.
Reuters/ABC
