'Boring' Clark builds big major lead in search for US Open 'redemption'

Wyndham Clark is refusing to get carried away about the prospect of completing major 'redemption' at the US Open, despite building a commanding halfway lead with ‘boring’ golf at Shinnecock Hills.

Clark capitalised on the best of the conditions to post an opening-round 64, returning to par the final two holes on Friday morning after a weather-disrupted first day, then extended his lead with a second-round 69.

The American holed a 33-foot birdie on his final hole to move to seven under, the lowest 36-hole score in a US Open at Shinnecock Hills, with Clark opening a major with back-to-back rounds in the 60s for the first time since edging Rory McIlroy to victory in 2023.

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Clark has only posted one top-20 finish in majors since and was heavily criticised after damaging a locker during last year's missed cut at Oakmont, with the four-time PGA Tour winner now feeling in a better place to challenge for a second US Open victory.

"I've gotten a lot of grief since last year and rightfully so," said Clark, who mentioned pre-tournament about targeting redemption this week. "The thing that's unfortunate is that's not who I am. I'm hoping I can win back the fans that I had - or some new fans - because it was a terrible incident.

"I feel like I can show people that I'm fun and outgoing, I'm fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game and just had a bad moment. I definitely feel like I'm in a better place. Hopefully a great weekend and 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 US Open and then had some good years, then next thing I'm apologising for breaking a locker. 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. 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."

Clark looks to build on major 'momentum'

Each of the previous four US Opens at Shinnecock Hills were won by a player who trailed by multiple strokes after 36 holes, with Clark - who mixed three birdies with two bogeys on Friday morning - admitting his round could have been even lower.

"I really felt like I could be in double digits," Clark added. "The great thing about that is I didn't feel like I had my best and I still am leading. Hopefully I can bring my A-game on the weekend.

"There was definitely a lot of uncertainty last year, even if I played good going into the weekend, just because I didn't really believe I could keep playing good. I hadn't seen it, versus now regardless of where my game is at, I feel like good things are going to happen.

"Momentum is a huge thing in golf, and I feel like I have it right now. Just keep it going. Keep pushing that momentum ball down the hill."

Clark has top-11 finishes in his last three worldwide starts, including victory at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson and a third at The Memorial, with former major champion Rich Beem impressed by how he has tackled a challenging major test.

"When you look at the history of the players who have won at Shinnecock Hills, they're bulldogs, they're bullish, they're not going to give you an inch," Beem told Sky Sports. "That's exactly what you need to have and is why I think Clark is leading here.

"He is a strong competitor, and when he's feeling good about his game, it is hard to stop him. He's not going to back down from any challenge. He's on top of the planet when it comes to confidence."

"Clark's putting has been a sight to behold. He's been so good in not only most of his play, but on the greens in particular. His long putt on the 18th hole is what he's been doing time and time again."

Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick were Clark's closest challengers from the morning wave, both heading into the weekend on three under, with two-time major champion Collin Morikawa a further shot back after a second-round 65.

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