3 Things to Know: 126th U.S. Open, Round 4

Under picture-perfect blue skies with fluffy clouds straight out of “The Simpsons,” the 67 professionals and five amateurs who made the cut took to the course on Saturday morning for the third round of the 126th U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

On a day when wind gusts of up to 35 mph made the U.S. Open flags flutter above the grandstands and the fescue ripple like the proverbial amber waves of grain, the leaderboard did not see a lot of movement.

As the day progressed, the curse of the two-day front-runner – not one 36-hole leader has ever gone on to win the trophy at Shinnecock Hills – seemed to evaporate due to Clark’s poised play. The 2023 champion holds a six–stroke lead over Scottie Scheffler, Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim and Sam Stevens.

Here are three things to know for Round 4:

See Scottie Run        

It would be foolhardy to rule out the world No. 1. And despite some struggles over the first two days of the championship – he was one of only two players with an under-par round on Saturday.

But for Scheffler to win on Sunday and complete the Grand Slam (on his 30th birthday and Father’s Day, no less), he will have to do something he’s never done before: win a major without having the lead after 54 holes. He’s not shying away from the test.

“I've always enjoyed the more challenging setups,” he said. “If you're hitting great shots, for the most part, you're going to get rewarded, and if you're hitting good shots, you're going to be a little bit on the edge. So, [I’m] just go out there tomorrow, continue to try and execute. I did a really good job of that on the back nine today and keep that momentum going into tomorrow's round.”

Ryder on the Storm

Apart from Clark, another player to hold a commanding lead is Ryder Cowan. The 21-year-old University of Oklahoma rising senior has a five-stroke edge over his two closest pursuers for the Jack Nicklaus Medal, awarded to the low amateur.

Cowan is making his first start in a major after earning his spot through final qualifying at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and is making a name for himself at Shinnecock. The runner-up at in the Boys’ 12-13 Division at the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals opened with a 2-under 68 before shooting 2-over 72 in both the second and third rounds. In addition to being in the driver’s seat for low amateur, he is tied for 13th  place overall through 54 holes.

So, how will Cowan handle the final-round pressure?

“I don't know,” he said. “I’m just going to try to focus on hitting one golf shot at a time, not worry about what's going on. There's a lot of stuff going on. There's a lot of crowds that are rowdy. I’m just trying to stay focused, hit every golf shot and try to win a golf tournament. That's what I'm focused on.”

It sounds as though Cowan will not be cowed.

A Wyndham Win

Clark has had his ups and downs – on and off the course – since his U.S. Open victory at The Los Angeles Country Club in 2023. He finished T-56 at Pinehurst in 2024 in his title defense, then missed the cut at Oakmont Country Club last year. While he returned to the PGA Tour winner’s circle for the first time in two years a month ago in Dallas, a second U.S. Open victory here at Shinnecock Hills would completely change the narrative.

If he raises the trophy on Sunday, Clark would become only the 23rd person to win at least two U.S. Open titles. It would actually be quite similar to Retief Goosen, who won his second title at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 three years after his first U.S. Open victory at Southern Hills. At just 32 years old, Clark is entering the prime of his career.

While he was at a nadir just one year ago, a Clark victory on Sunday would represent a remarkable turnaround.