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MajorsBy the GolfOdds Editorial Team

Wyndham Clark Sets Shinnecock Record to Take Commanding U.S. Open Lead

Wyndham Clark opened with a historic 64 and backed it up with a steady second round to build a four-shot lead at Shinnecock Hills.

Wyndham Clark is once again making a major statement at the U.S. Open. After a fog delay disrupted the opening round at Shinnecock Hills, the 2023 champion returned to the course early Friday morning to complete a historic 6-under-par 64. Clark, who was 6 under through 16 holes when play was suspended on Thursday night, calmly parred his final two holes to secure the lowest opening-round score in Shinnecock Hills U.S. Open history.

The stellar start immediately positioned Clark as the man to beat, with his live outright odds shortening to +390 (BetRivers). This 64 marks the second-lowest score in any U.S. Open round at the iconic venue, trailing only Tommy Fleetwood's final-round 63 in 2018. Fleetwood is currently priced at +3000 (FanDuel). It also matches Clark's opening round from his victorious 2023 campaign at Los Angeles Country Club, signaling a potential repeat performance.

Chasing Pack Shifts as Shinnecock Bites

Clark did not let up when he returned for his second round just thirty minutes after signing his first-round scorecard. Despite missing four consecutive fairways on the back nine, he carded a 1-under 69 to reach 7-under par. This established a new 36-hole Shinnecock Hills record and gave him a commanding four-stroke lead heading into the weekend.

While Clark surged, several past champions who loomed large after the first round began to fade. Dustin Johnson, who opened with a 4-under 66 to sit just two back, fell off the pace with a second-round 77, dropping his live odds to +75000 (FanDuel). Gary Woodland also slipped back with a 73, moving his price to +10000 (FanDuel), while 2021 champion Jon Rahm struggled mightily with seven bogeys and a double bogey in his first 16 holes of round two, drifting to +250000 (Bovada).

Instead, a new crop of challengers has emerged to chase the leader. Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 champion, remains in contention at 3-under par with odds of +850 (FanDuel). He is joined by Xander Schauffele at +4888 (Pinnacle) and Collin Morikawa, who sits at 2-under par with odds of +16519 (Pinnacle).

FAQ

What did Wyndham Clark shoot in the first round of the U.S. Open?
Wyndham Clark shot a 6-under-par 64, which is the lowest opening-round score in Shinnecock Hills U.S. Open history.
Who is chasing Wyndham Clark after the second round?
Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele are his closest pursuers at 3-under par, four shots behind Clark's 7-under total.
What is the 36-hole scoring record at Shinnecock Hills?
Wyndham Clark set the 36-hole Shinnecock Hills record by reaching 7-under par through the first two rounds.