Rory McIlroy challenges Wyndham Clark at US Open second round

American’s revival continues after controversy 12 months ago Rory McIlroy still in contention despite ‘bit of a battle’ on back nine Everyone was chasing one man on a windswept Friday in the Hamptons as Wyndham Clark continued his extraordinary revival, posting the lowest 36-hole score ever recorded in a US Open at Shinnecock and carrying a four-shot lead into the weekend. The 2023 champion backed up his opening-round 64 with a one-under 69 to reach seven under par, breaking the previous halfway record of six under set by Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama in 2004. Clark’s total left him four strokes clear of Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim at three under, while Collin Morikawa hurled himself into contention with the day’s low score of 65 to sit alone at two under on a sun-splashed but blustery afternoon in Southampton. Continue reading...

After demolishing a locker at last year’s US Open, Wyndham Clark has returned to his national championship intent on destroying this major field.

Former US Open champion Wyndham Clark remained top of a stacked leaderboard after the second round at Shinnecock Hills but he is being stalked by a number of multiple major winners. Rory McIlroy looked like being the man to challenge the American’s seven-under total but, after missing a six-footer at the ninth which would have moved him to within three, a chaotic back nine saw him shoot 71 and finish the day seven behind.

Rory McIlroy is sitting seven shots adrift of the leader, Wyndham Clark, with 36 holes remaining at the US Open. McIlroy posted a second-round 71 at Shinnecock Hills on Friday, but it could have been so much better.

The Masters champion was four shots behind the leader at the turn at Shinnecock Hill