June 20th, 2026
By Australian Golf Digest
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Early week storylines of journeyman pros and amateur phenoms playing their way into the U.S. Open are always fun to read about. But come the weekend, it’s time for the cream to rise to the top as the USGA tries identify the player most deserving of winning a national open. Thankfully, Shinnecock Hills looks like it’s in fine shape to do just that as the field of 156 is whittled down to the top 60 and ties for the final 36 holes out on eastern Long Island.
Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ, look very much like he is ready to claim a second title after shooting rounds of 64-69. When he finished on Friday, he held a four-shot lead over two other major winners, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele. But Friday’s afternoon wave at Shinnecock is playing two shots lower than the morning, so potentially that lead will be smaller before day’s end.
The USGA will announce Saturday’s third-round twosomes shortly after the finish of the second round on Friday night. Saturday’s tee times should fall between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. with TV coverage lasting until 8 p.m. EDT. Come back afterward and we’ll update this with starting times.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com