Common mistakes in Wyndham Clark’s 2026 major Sunday strategy
Wyndham Clark secured his second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills with a 4-under 276, narrowly defeating Sam Burns by one stroke. His lead shrank significantly after a three-putt on the 17th hole, but a birdie on the 16th provided the necessary buffer to maintain his victory.
The shrinking lead at Shinnecock Hills
Wyndham Clark surrendered a six-shot lead at Shinnecock Hills during the final round of the 126th US Open. He finished the tournament at 4-under 276, just one stroke ahead of Sam Burns. Burns carded a final-round 67 to finish at 277. Clark shot a three-over 73 to secure the victory. This win provides him with $4.5 million from a $22.5 million purse. He became the ninth player in US Open history to lead after all four rounds without any ties at the conclusion of any day. His lead began to shrink after he carded a bogey on the par-five fifth hole. He also struggled with a bogey on the par-three second hole and the par-four eighth. His performance on Sunday follows his recent wins at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the BMW Championship. He entered the week as the 34th ranked golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings. The final round scoring on Sunday averaged 71.389, a figure that ranks as the third-lowest final round in US Open history. He became the 24th player to win the US Open at least twice. Clark is also only the second player since 1986 to win the US Open twice while being ranked outside the top 30 both times. Burns, the runner-up, had previously finished T9 at Pinehurst in 2024 and T7 at Oakmont in 2025.
Erratic execution on the back nine
The back nine required Clark to manage erratic shot execution and difficult lies. On the par-5 16th, his tee shot went left into the deep fescue. He used an 8-iron to reach the green at 25 feet and converted a 24-foot birdie putt. This success failed to prevent a collapse on the par-3 17th. His 9-iron approach left him nearly 70 feet from the hole. He then three-putted; this included a missed six-foot par putt that narrowed his lead to a single stroke. Did his choice of a 9-iron on the elevated green contribute to this mistake? Earlier on the back nine, Clark showed resolve on the par-4 10th by choosing a high-risk driver. This left him a 60-yard wedge shot to the putting surface. He played a brilliant approach to 10 feet to match a birdie from Scottie Scheffler. Clark managed to overcome the psychological strain of a dwindling lead and a hostile crowd by focusing on his execution, specifically his 24-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole that provided him with necessary breathing room. He faced intense criticism from the gallery, where fans shouted "get in the bunker" and "don’t choke." Several spectators faced removal from the property for unacceptable conduct. Scheffler finished in a tie for fourth at even-par 270 after he struggled to gain momentum.
Recovery on the final hole
Clark recovered on the 18th hole to secure his second US Open title. His tee shot landed in the first cut of the rough. He played a flawless approach to leave a tap-in. This victory at age 32 marks his second US Open win in four years. He defeated Sam Burns, who finished on 277 after missing birdie putts on both the 17th and 18th holes. His father, Randall, traveled from Denver to witness the emotional embrace on Father’s Day. Clark joined an exclusive group of 24 golfers to win the US Open twice. He is also the first player since Martin Kaymer in 2014 to win the event wire-to-wire. He finished with a score that matched the Shinnecock Hills scoring record of 4-under held by Retief Goossen. The 16th hole birdie gave him a two-stroke lead over Burns with two holes to play and provided him the buffer he needed. He had to navigate a 52-foot putt on the final hole to complete the win.
