Wyndham Clark sets 36-hole Shinnecock record for U.S. Open - ESPN

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — When Wyndham Clark arrived at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club this week, he said to himself that if he were to shoot even par across four days of golf, he would have a good shot to win his second U.S. Open.

After two rounds, the 2023 champion at Los Angeles Country Club has bettered that mark by seven shots, following up a 6-under 64 on Thursday with a 1-under 69 Friday on his way to breaking the 36-hole scoring record for a U.S. Open at Shinnecock.

«I really felt like I could be in double digits, but you know, the great thing about that is I didn't feel like I had my best, and I still am leading as of right now,» Clark said. «Hopefully I can bring my A-game on the weekend.»

In 2023, Clark did not hold a lead until Saturday heading into the final round. That day he shot even par to hold off the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Cam Smith and Tommy Fleetwood and secure his first major championship.

Clark's defense of the U.S. Open last year at Oakmont went awry when he shot 8-over through two days and made a bogey on the final hole to miss the cut by a shot. Clark then damaged the locker room inside the clubhouse and was subsequently banned from its property by the club. The month before the U.S. Open Clark also apologized for throwing his driver at the PGA Championship after an errant drive.

On Friday, Clark was asked about the incident and whether he felt like his perception has changed among fans over the course of the last year due to what happened.

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