Wyndham Clark’s second U.S. Open win at Shinnecock Hills was not just another major title. It put him in one of the tournament’s smallest historical clubs.
Clark had to survive a shaky Sunday, a shrinking lead and a late charge from Sam Burns, but he still walked away with the trophy and a rare record attached.
It was dominance early, then a test of nerve late.
Wyndham Clark joins exclusive five-man U.S. Open club
An ESPN post confirmed Clark won his second U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and became just the fifth player in tournament history to lead by multiple shots after all four rounds.
That is not just a record of leading. It is a record of control, with Clark holding an advantage of at least two shots at the end of Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The other names on that list are Walter Hagen, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer. Woods did it during his famous 2000 win at Pebble Beach, McIlroy followed at Congressional in 2011 and Kaymer controlled Pinehurst in 2014.
Clark had already won the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, edging McIlroy by one. This second title moved him from breakthrough major winner to repeat U.S. Open champion.
Wyndham Clark survives tense final round at Shinnecock Hills
Clark entered Sunday six shots clear after reaching 7-under through 54 holes, the lowest three-round U.S. Open score recorded at Shinnecock Hills.
The final round did not turn into a parade. He shot a 3-over 73, watched Burns cut the gap to one, then needed one last response to avoid one of golf’s brutal collapses.
The decisive moment came at the par-5 16th. After finding thick fescue off the tee, Clark recovered and holed a 25-foot birdie putt to push the lead back to two.
A three-putt bogey at 17 tightened it again, but he steadied himself at 18, reached the green and two-putted for victory.
Clark finished at 4-under, one shot ahead of Burns, across 276 total strokes. It was not flawless golf, but it was U.S. Open golf: absorb the damage, take the chance when it appears and hold your nerve when the trophy is there.
Read more:
- Sam Burns makes comment about Wyndham Clark winning the US Open after narrowly losing to him on the final day
- Justin Rose makes comment on the American fans at Shinnecock Hills after finishing his US Open
- Scottie Scheffler points out what’s so ‘underrated’ about Wyndham Clark’s game after watching his US Open win up close
