Can anyone catch Wyndham Clark headed into the weekend at Shinnecock? - ESPN

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — After setting the 36-hole record for a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club at 7 under, Wyndham Clark carries a four-stroke lead into the weekend.

Will it be enough for Clark to hang on for his second U.S. Open title?

There are several major champions within potential striking distance if Clark comes back to the field.

Even Rory McIlroy, who had an up-and-down 1-over 71 in the second round and is seven strokes back, feels like he has a chance.

«If there's a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you're seven back going into the weekend like I am, it's definitely this one,» McIlroy said.

Here's what to watch over the final two rounds of the 126th U.S. Open.

Mark Schlabach: Given what went down in last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh, the only thing I'm certain about is there won't be many golf fans pulling for Clark to win this weekend.

Last year, Clark posted consecutive 4-over 74s and made a bogey on his final hole to miss the cut by one.

He took out his frustration on Oakmont Country Club's 121-year-old lockers, kicking two of them in. He was banned from the club until he paid for them to be repaired, made a donation to charity and underwent anger management counseling.

Fair or not, Clark is still carrying that sin in the eyes of many golf fans.

«I've gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so,» Clark said. «The thing that's unfortunate is that's not who I am, what happened last year. I'm hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident.» It won't be easy.

Clark came into this week's U.S. Open on a heater, having won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 24 and then finishing solo third in the Memorial