Clark Leads US Open by 6 Strokes; Kim Joo-hyung Tied for 2nd

Wyndham Clark (USA) continues to dominate the US Open, moving closer to his second title at the major golf tournament.

In the third round of the 126th US Open (total prize money of $22.5 million, with $4.5 million for the winner) held today (June 21) at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (par 70) in Southampton, New York, Clark carded one eagle, two birdies, and four bogeys, finishing the day at even par.

On a challenging course hit by strong winds reaching nearly 50 km/h (31 mph), where many top contenders faltered, Clark maintained his position to lead the tournament with a three-round total of 7-under 203.

Clark, who won the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, is aiming to reclaim the title after three years.

Following a missed cut at last year's US Open, Clark faced criticism after damaging property in the locker room out of frustration over his poor performance.

South Korea's Kim Joo-hyung recorded four birdies and six bogeys, losing two strokes, but maintained his position in a tie for second place—as he did after the second round—with a total of 1-under 209.

Trailing leader Clark by six strokes, Kim will compete for a come-from-behind victory in the final round alongside Scottie Scheffler (USA), Sahith Theegala (USA), and Sam Stevens (USA), who are all tied at 1-under 209.

Clark, who began the third round as the sole leader, had lost one stroke through the 15th hole with three bogeys and two birdies.

However, on the 604-yard 16th hole (par 5), he landed his second shot 1.3 meters from the hole to easily secure an eagle.

Clark appeared set to finish the third round under par after making par on the 17th hole (par 5), but he missed a 1.5-meter par putt on the 18th hole (par 4), leaving him with a six-stroke lead over those tied for second.

In the previous 125 editions of the US Open, no player has ever lost a lead of five strokes or more in the final round.

Kim Joo-hyung performed well through the 13th hole, offsetting three bogeys with two birdies.

However, he struggled after hitting his second shots into bunkers on the 14th (par 4) and 15th (par 4) holes, resulting in consecutive bogeys.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, also remains in contention, though his chances are slim.

Scheffler lost two strokes on the front nine but rallied on the back nine with four birdies and one bogey.

Scheffler, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on the day of the fourth round, said in an interview with NBC, "(The fourth round) is a very special day for me, and I will go out on the course and do my best to play my game."

Meanwhile, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) surged toward the top of the leaderboard by shaving two strokes off his score on the front nine, but he collapsed on the back nine with five bogeys.

McIlroy fell to a tie for 17th place with a three-round total of 3-over 213.

Im Sung-jae, who shot a 1-over 71, is also tied for 17th with McIlroy and others at 3-over 213.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.