Wyndham Clark surveying a putt today – image Dustin Satlof USGA

2023 Champion, Wyndham Clark, has control of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, returning to the course early this morning to complete his opening round of 64 and then adding a second round of 69 to be at 7 under and ahead by four.

Clark was up at 4.00 am to complete his round after play had been called late in his opening round at 8.30pm on Thursday.

He finished off his opening round with pars to finish with his round of 64 to lead by three over Mathew Fitzpatrick and Gary Woodland, and then, after a slow start to his second round, put together a second round of 69, including a 25-foot birdie putt at the last, to lead by four over Matthew Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele when he walked off the course.

Later, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim joined the group at 3 under and four off the lead, with Collin Morikawa another shot back.

Only eleven players are under par at the halfway stage, but a massive 34 players are within just four shots of the lead, and so, subject to Clark’s performance over the weekend, so many of that group must still feel they are very much in the hunt.

Included in that large group are Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy at even par, both no doubt feeling that, although seven from the lead, they are very much in contention for a second US Open in the case of McIlroy and the chance to complete the Grand Slam for Scheffler.

Ryan Fox – in action during today’s second round – image Dustin Satloff  USGA

Of the six Australasians who teed it up on Thursday, only one, Ryan Fox, has made it to the weekend, the New Zealander adding one late birdie on his return to the course this morning to finish his opening round and then completing a second round of  73 to be at 3 over and tied for 46th and safely inside the cutline of 4 over par.

An agonising four-putt double bogey at his 7th hole on day two put paid to an otherwise impressive effort, but he is still well enough placed given the congestion amongst the field, Clark aside.

Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert are at 6 over, Min Woo Lee at 7 over, and Adam Scott at 8 over. Jason Day was forced to withdraw halfway through his opening round with back issues.

Clark is steadily rebuilding his reputation after one or two temper tantrums on the golf course, including at last year’s US Open, when he missed the cut by one and took his anger out on the locker room at Oakmont.

“Yeah, I’ve gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so,” said the leader. “The unfortunate thing is that’s not who I am, what happened last year.

“I’m hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident. You know, I really feel like I can show people that I’m fun and outgoing, I’m fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment. Hopefully, I can win those people back.

“Yeah, I definitely feel like I’m in a better place. Hopefully a great weekend and a great rest of the year, maybe I’ll gain all those fans back.

“I was on top of the world in my game at least when I won the U.S. Open and then had some good years. Then the next thing you know, I’m apologizing for breaking a locker the year later.

“I just think with the mental game there’s ebbs and flows. If you think of it as climbing Everest, sometimes you go up, sometimes you have to go down to go back up.

“I think that’s kind of what happens both on the golf course and off the golf course. Right now I’m trending back up, which is nice. So, yeah, I kind of look at it that way.

Clark seemingly lost his way after his major championship breakthrough at the Los Angeles Golf Club but pays a lot of credit to his improved play of late to meeting his coach, Patrick Coyner, earlier this year.

His most recent results, which have included a win at the Byron Nelson and a 3rd place at the Memorial, tell the story of his game getting back to where it was.

“Well, Pat, it’s pretty crazy,” added Clark. “I’ve been on my own for three years with my golf swing, and I just got a membership at Cherry Hills. Pat just started working there as an instructor. I didn’t really know him. I kind of knew a lot of people — kind of knew of him.

“I was hitting balls one day and just asked him, like, hey, what do you think? He goes, honestly, I mean, I look at a few things that how you’re swinging in ’23 and ’22, and you’re way longer, you’re kind of cupped, your wrist isn’t flat, X, Y, and Z. He goes, if we could just get you back to ’23 by the start of January 1, like some of those moves, and then continue to get better as the year goes on, and he’s done that.

“I mean, I’ve gained so much control with my irons. Now I think of myself as a good iron player. Now I’m starting to hit driver a lot straighter.

“So if I can hit it in the fairway, I feel like I’m pretty deadly.”

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Every reason to be smiling after his impressive start – Wyndham Clark – image USGA/Logan Whitton

At 8.25 pm local time, round one of the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills was suspended due to darkness, play having been delayed for two hours much earlier in the day when fog caused the suspension of play after play had been under way for just 30 minutes or so.

When play was called, Wyndham Clark had saved par from a bunker to the left of the 7^th green (his 16^th hole of the day) to remain at 6 under par, and he headed to the clubhouse with, still, two holes to play, holding a four-shot lead over a large group at 2 under, four of whom had yet to finish their opening rounds.

Amongst that group at 2 under were four former US Open champions, namely Dustin Johnson who had just double bogeyed his 15^th hole, Matthew Fitzpatrick who has 12 feet left for a possible birdie at his 16^th hole when he returns tomorrow, Gary Woodland who has a 30 footer for birdie at his 16^th hole and Jon Rahm who is playing the 14^th hole and is 74 yards from the hole with his 3^rd shot at the par 5.

So things might change when those yet to finish return to the course early on Friday morning, but Clark has been simply brilliant in his opening round effort.

Making the turn at 3 under 32, Clark bogeyed his 11^th hole, but then came two birdies and an eagle in his next three and with two holes to play, his four-shot lead might even be extended when he completes his round.

“Obviously, getting off to a great start was good,” said Clark. “Birdieing the first two was really nice. Then I kind of had a little bit of a lull, but made some great par saves. It was great birdieing 18 (his 9^th).

“Then a little mishap, missed a shorty on 1 and then a bogey on 2, but then got into a nice rhythm. Yeah, everything was kind of clicking. We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down. Overall, a good round.

“I would say when I got my tee times on Tuesday, I was like, oh, it could be a tough draw. That two-hour fog delay was very helpful, and it was really nice it laid down. So it definitely helped those last six, seven holes we played.”

There are several other heavyweights at 1 under and five from the lead including Rory McIlroy who faced the force of the winds through much of his round of 69. When he finished his round, it appeared that he might very well be amongst the day one leaders before the winds lessened later in the day and the demanding layout became just a little bit more generous.

Ryan Fox heads the Australasians at this stage – image USGA

The leading Australasian at this stage is Ryan Fox, who was putting together an impressive opening effort when he fought his way to 1 under through 12 holes before bogeys at his 15^th and 16^th holes and a par at the 17^th had him at 1 over and in a share of 29^th with one hole to play on Friday morning.

Adam Scott, playing his 100^th consecutive major, finished with a round of 73 to be at 3 over and in a share of 76^th, shares the second leading Australasian position with Min Woo Lee, who has four holes to play in round one tomorrow.

Lucas Herbert finished with 74, Cameron Smith 75 and Jason Day was forced to withdraw with a back injury after playing several holes.

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Adam Scott – acknowledging the crowd after his 2013 Masters victory, his 47th consecutive major start – image Masters Tournament 

At Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, on Thursday, Australia’s Adam Scott will tee it up in his 101^st major championship, but his 100^th in succession, becoming just the second person in the history of the game, after Jack Nicklaus, to reach that milestone, Nicklaus’ amazing run of 146 stretching from the 1962 Masters Tournament through to the 1998 US Open.

The number of US Opens Scott has played in the past (24) has him as the player with the most starts in the event in this week’s field. Justin Rose, with 21, is the only other player competing this week with more than 20 appearances.

Whichever way you look at it, the achievement of maintaining a game in good enough shape to gain entry to that many major championships is phenomenal.

In his pre-tournament media conference today, Scott was asked his thoughts on the approaching milestone.

“Yeah, it’s an interesting one, as I’ve thought about it over the last couple of weeks, obviously this week getting closer. I found it difficult at first to reflect on something while I’m still playing. I think I’ve never really been one to dwell on milestones. I think it’s something I’ll probably do at the end of my career.

“However, it’s resonated a little bit more with me the last few days, and from people close to me, to my sponsors and partners, I’m so appreciative of everyone recognizing this. It’s a strange one because it’s not something you really set out to do or aim for.

“But in all honesty, since Pinehurst a couple of years ago, it was kind of on my radar. Earlier this year, as I wasn’t automatically qualified for this event, it became a bit of a weight on my shoulders, making sure I got here.

“It’s been fun. I had a photograph with Jack Nicklaus a couple of weeks ago at his Memorial Tournament, and he’s the other guy who made it to a hundred in a row. He, in fact, made it way past that, and I can’t even think about playing another 11 or 12 years straight of these, but I’m really excited for this week.”

Scott was further asked as to the key to such longevity.

“I would say, probably overall, a certain level of focus has been required over the 25 years to maintain, I’ll call it golf at this elite level, major championship level. It has taken a lot of focus to do that.

“I think there are lots of little things you could break down after that, but I’m quite proud that I’ve managed to keep my focus this long and keep pushing through. Obviously, not all years and all weeks out here are easy, and you’re playing full of confidence.”

Scott’s stretch might have been halted at 93 when he was forced to attend final qualifying in 2024 and finished as the first alternate at his venue. Soon after, however, Grayson Murray, who took his own life when he was the 61st-ranked golfer in the world, opened the door for Scott, who was then 61^st in the world, to take his place in the field as a result of the leading 60-ranked world golfers earning the right to play.

Of the 100 he has played already (including the 2001 Open Championship, which is not included in the run of consecutive events), Scott has made the cut on 74 occasions and been inside the top three on six occasions, his win at the 2013 Masters the standout along with his near miss when runner-up to Ernie Els at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2012.

Adam Scott is a testament to longevity and, even at the age of still just 45, is considered by many to be one of the great statesmen of the game, his measured but well-thought-through opinions on the game and its administration valued by players, administrators, and golf fans worldwide.

Scott trails only Karrie Webb in terms of the number of majors played by Australians. Webb played 100 in her 23 years at that level, while Greg Norman competed in 90.

Not only has Scott become a highly regarded spokesperson for the game, but his golf has withstood the passage of time, continuing to compete at close to the highest level despite the rapid changes in technology and fitness, and as a father of three, he has displayed a great ability to compartmentalise his life in a manner that allows him to continue his remarkable run at such a level.

At Shinnecock Hills this week, Scott will play his 25^th US Open, two of those played at this venue. In both 2004 and 2018, Scott missed the cut at this venue. In fact, in four competitive rounds at Shinnecock Hills, Scott has not recorded a round better than 75, so his performance this week will be of much interest.

“I love Shinnecock,” added Scott. “I’ve played here a fair amount socially over the years. This is my third U.S. Open here. I haven’t played well in either U.S. Open, which is really disappointing to me, but hoping to change that this week.

“I still love the golf course. I think it’s as good as any test we have at the U.S. Open.

“I came up straight here from Ohio and played from last Thursday. I’ve played four practice rounds, and I came with a blank slate. It’s funny how when you play poorly at an event, you can forget about what went on, and I really don’t remember much of ’18 from a playing perspective.

“Came here excited on Thursday and really felt like I had a fresh look at the golf course and a fresh take and felt comfortable straight away. I think the green complexes aren’t dissimilar to playing into Royal Melbourne style greens. At least that’s what I’m telling myself, and that’s a comfortable place for me.

“I’m looking at it with a fresh set of eyes this week and feel like I’m much more prepared at this point than I was at the last two here.”

Deservedly, there will be a lot of attention on Scott’s milestone this week, and it is hoped that he can at least make it to the weekend so that his remarkable achievement gets the full recognition it deserves, and for him to continue his remarkable run as one of the game’s most impressive performers, irrespective of age.

Ryan Fox – file image PGA of America

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox might not have been able to successfully defend his RBC Canadian Open title this week near Toronto, but he gave every indication his game was in good shape to tackle next week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills when he finished in a share of 8^th place after getting into a share of 3^rd place midway through his closing nine.

Fox was languishing at even par for the day and well off the pace when he reached the turn, but then came a hole out for eagle from 80 yards at the 12^th, and three consecutive birdies from the 14^th to open the door for a possible successful defence.

Bogeys at the 17^th and 18^th, however, and a relentless finish from first-time PGA Tour winner, Bid Cauley saw him finish five off the lead.

Cauley was playing his 239^th PGA Tour event, but until today, his best result had been when 3^rd on three occasions, much of his early career curtailed by a car accident during the Memorial Tournament in 2018, complications from which eventually kept him from playing competitively for three years.

Cauley finished two ahead of Matthew Fitzpatrick, who takes over as the leader in the FedEx Cup standings courtesy of his three wins earlier this season and now this runner-up placing.

Fox now heads to Shinnecock Hills to play his 8^th US Open, in which he has a best of 19^th in 2025.

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Ryan Fox – holds the trophy for the 2025 Canadian Open – file image

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox gets the chance to defend a PGA Tour title for the very first time when he tees it up at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto this week, Fox unable to defend his first PGA Tour win at Myrtle Beach in May, as he had qualified for the opposite Signature event, the Truit Classic at Quail Hollow that week.

Last year, Fox won a dramatic playoff when he defeated Sam Burns at the 4^th extra hole at the same venue he tackles this week, the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. He had earlier holed a lengthy putt at the 72nd hole just to get into the playoff.

Fox’s approach at the par 5 18^th (the 4^th occasion)with a fairway wood,  after the hole had been relocated during the playoff, finished 6 feet from the hole, and although he missed the eagle attempt, the birdie secured the victory.

Fox also finished 7th in the event at another venue on debut in 2024.

Fox is one of four Australasians in the field, the others being Karl Vilips, the out-of-form Cam Davis, and Davis’s fellow Sydneysider, Declan O’Donovan, who earned his start by winning the Canadian Amateur Championship in Quebec last year.

Donovan has subsequently turned professional but is still eligible to take up his entry into the event.

Fox has recorded just the one top ten in eleven starts in his third season on the PGA Tour, but that 7^th place was timely in that it came at the lucrative (US$20 million) Genesis Invitational, where he earned US$603,000.

The 39-year-old Aucklander is currently in 64^th place in the FedEx Cup standings and has banked US$1,651,000 thus far.

As the defending champion, Fox faced the media on Wednesday and enthused about the prospect of defending such a significant win in his career.

“It’s always great coming back to a course that you’ve got good memories at,” said Fox. “I love the golf course. I love the fans here last year. They treated me really, really well. I’m just seeing that plaque on 18 for the first time, and that brought back a lot of memories that have shot.

“I still think it’s the best shot I’ve ever hit. Yeah, I’ve seen my face in a few different places this week than I would normally, and that’s pretty cool.”

Fox was asked about the memories he carried from last year’s win.

“I think it’s the shot on 18. Then the other one that comes to mind is I distinctly remember standing up there, waiting to get this trophy, and I saw my kids in the background, not caring, just throwing sand in the bunker on the back of 18. I’ve got a lot of memories of that, and I’ve had a few people say that to me as well, that they really enjoyed seeing that. That’s a big memory for me of last year, too.”

A plaque has been installed on the 18^th to commemorate the magnificent fairway wood approach, which ultimately led to the win, and Fox had been excited at the prospect of seeing it first hand.

“I think the thing I was looking forward to the most was seeing the plaque on 18. I’ve never had one of those before, so that was a pretty cool novelty today. And today was the first time I saw it, literally 15, 20 minutes ago. So, to see that and also look at that second shot again and try to relive that memory. Yeah, that was pretty cool.”

Fox feels his game is not too far from where it needs to be for him to be a factor again this week.

“The game’s pretty close. I feel like I’ve said that a lot this year. There was a lot of good signs last week at Memorial. I played pretty decent for the most part at the PGA. I’ve just not really put everything together this year.

“There’s always something been wrong, whether I struggled with the putter, or last week I didn’t drive it great at Memorial. So, a week’s a long time in golf, and hopefully I can figure out how to put it all together this week, and, as I said, I like the golf course.

“I think that helps a little bit where you feel comfortable around a place, and it makes it easier to pick shots and commit to shots. So hopefully that helps me a little bit this week.”

Fox was asked his thoughts on the field this week, especially given the event’s place in the schedule as the lead-up event to next week’s US Open.

“I mean, for me, it seems like a stronger field than last year. Obviously, it’s a major for all the Canadians; all of the top Canadian guys are here, and it’s great to see.

“But having Brooks, Justin Rose, Tommy, Aaron Rai, Matt Fitz, his brother’s playing great as well. Yeah, I think this event holds — it’s a tough place in the schedule, there’s going to be guys just not wanting to play the week before a major, regardless of the event.

“There’s going to be guys that will play an event regardless the week before a major that they want to play. But I think it speaks to the history of this event. I think everyone who came out of this golf course last year really enjoyed it. I think we’ve got a stronger field than last year because of that, that everyone did enjoy themselves, that there’s such a great history at this event, and it is a pretty good warm-up for next week.

The US$9,800,000 event carries a first prize of US$1.764 million.

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