Wyndham Clark holds a commanding four-stroke lead entering Saturday's third round at the 126th U.S. Open, setting up a high-stakes Moving Day at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The 2023 champion carved out a historic 36-hole record at 7 under par after carding a steady one-under 69 on Friday. Meanwhile, a decorated chase pack consisting of Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Sam Stevens, and Tom Kim sits tied for second at 3 under, desperately looking for an opening on the brutal Long Island course.
What We Know So Far
Wyndham Clark has effectively turned the weekend into his personal redemption tour after leaving last year's major championship under a cloud of controversy due to locker-destroying behavior at Oakmont. Benefitting from mild late-Thursday conditions to open with a spectacular 64, Clark remained unflappable during the second round. His two-day total of 7 under puts him firmly in the driver's seat, though historic precedents at the William Flynn-designed course suggest that no lead is entirely safe when the wind begins to howl.
The tournament has already claimed several premier casualties due to a strict cut line set at +4. High-profile stars including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Viktor Hovland completely failed to make it past the second round, leaving just 72 players—including five amateurs—to compete over the final 36 holes. The mass exodus of LIV Golf members and past champions underscores how punishing the layout has been for those failing to execute precise approach shots.
The afternoon pairings are locked into highly compelling duels. Clark will tee off in the final group at 3:45 p.m. ET alongside 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick. Directly in front of them, Xander Schauffele and Sam Stevens will occupy the penultimate slot at 3:34 p.m. ET. Further up the leaderboard, world number one Scottie Scheffler and Brian Harman form a heavyweight pairing at 2:01 p.m. ET, immediately followed by Rory McIlroy and Maverick McNealy at 2:12 p.m. ET.
What People Are Saying
The leaderboard configuration sets up an aggressive mindset for the chasing pack, while the course setup continues to dictate cautious aggression. Unlike previous rounds that were heavily plagued by an opening-day fog delay, players on Saturday will face completely different environmental elements that will severely test their club selection and patience.
How This Affects You
For golf fans across the United States, watching Moving Day requires navigating a multi-platform broadcast schedule split between network television and digital streaming platforms. Live action begins early with featured groups on digital channels before transitioning to traditional cable networks for the prime afternoon window.
The morning television window kicks off on USA Network from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. Immediately following, the primary broadcast shifts over to NBC and Peacock from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Dedicated fans wanting to watch the morning wave or follow specific pairings can access featured group coverage via USOpen.com, the USGA app, and Peacock starting at 9:10 a.m. ET.
Coming Up
Weather conditions will play a massive factor in how the afternoon unfolds. The forecast from AccuWeather calls for a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit with bright sunshine, but stiff, gusty winds are expected to pose significant positioning problems on the exposed layout. Players able to handle the blustery crosswinds will have a distinct advantage before the field heads into Sunday's final round, which projects slightly calmer intervals of clouds and sunshine for Father's Day.
At a Glance
- Leaderboard topper: Wyndham Clark holds a 4-stroke lead at 7 under par.
- The chase pack: Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Sam Stevens, and Tom Kim are tied at 3 under.
- Final pairing: Clark and Fitzpatrick tee off at 3:45 p.m. ET.
- Missed cuts: Bryson DeChambeau (+5), Jon Rahm (+6), and Brooks Koepka failed to advance.
- TV details: USA Network carries 10 a.m.–12 p.m. ET; NBC and Peacock handle 12–8 p.m. ET.
- Weather outlook: Stiff, gusty winds with clear sunshine and a high of 79 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the leader tee off on Saturday?
Leader Wyndham Clark tees off in the final pairing alongside Matt Fitzpatrick at 3:45 p.m. ET.
Where can I stream the morning U.S. Open coverage?
Early featured group coverage streams live on Peacock, USOpen.com, and the USGA app beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET.
What is the weather forecast for Shinnecock Hills today?
Expect plenty of sunshine with a high of 79 degrees, accompanied by stiff, gusty winds that will complicate shot tracking.
Who are some of the notable players who missed the cut?
Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Viktor Hovland all missed the weekend cut line of 4 over par.