U.S. Open leaderboard: Round three scores as Wyndham Clarks builds huge lead at Shinnecock Hills

Wyndham Clark survived a punishing moving day at Shinnecock Hills to tighten his grip on the 126th U.S. Open. 

Clark, 33, went round the Long Island venue in level par 70 and sits on seven-under, six clear of a group of four players that includes Scottie Scheffler. 

The world number one, 29, roared back into contention with a gutsy 69 and is still in with a slim chance of completing the career grand slam on his first attempt. 

Behind Scheffler, there are several big names lurking but the likes of Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa and Matt Fitzpatrick will need something very special and some help from Clark if they are to win the gold medal. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy started the third round positively, but made sloppy errors on the back nine to sign for a 73 and effectively end his hopes of winning a first U.S. Open title in more than 15 years.

"It was very up and down, holy smokes," said Clark. "I hit some good shots. I hit some terrible shots. 

"I was a little frustrated with myself with some of the execution.

"You know, at the end of the day, I improved my lead, which is awesome, and I shot even par on a very tough golf course."

Clark's performance on the greens was particularly astonishing, with the golfer holing more than 50 feet of par putts

His round even included hitting the shot of the tournament at the par-five 16th hole. 

From 275 yards, Clark hit a towering approach that landed perfectly and ended up four feet from the hole. 

He converted the eagle putt, somehow saved par at the par-three 17th after hitting a wild tee shot miles left and signed off with a disappointing bogey. 

His round started with a bogey before he calmed down with three consecutive pars, a birdie and one more bogey to turn in 36.

"That's what you have to make to win U.S. Opens," Clark said of his performance on the greens. 

"You're not going to have too many birdie putts, and when you do miss, it's really hard to hit a gimme, so you've got to make those kind of five to 12-footers."

Clark won his first major title in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club, holding off a final round challenge from the aforementioned McIlroy. 

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Clark said he's a lot more confident in 2026. 

"I'd say in '23 there was still doubts," he said. "Not necessarily doubts, but I hadn't done it, so there was a lot of unknown. 

"Now that I have done it, I know I can do it, and I can do it again.

"So I'll definitely lean on that experience and other experiences from when I've won that, hey, I can break through and do this again."

Asked about the prospect of playing alongside Scheffler in the final group, Clark said: "Scottie is the best player in the world, and he's going to play probably really good. 

"He always does, but it's nice to have a six-shot lead on him.

"But really I'm just going to keep approaching it the same way. If I go out and execute and go through my process and hit the shots I know I can hit, I like my chances.

"But yeah, we'll address that when we get to it. I'm not necessarily thinking about my lead or anything. 

"It's more of, hey, if I can get to this number, I like my chances."

Victory for Scheffler would see the 29-year-old complete the career grand slam on the first attempt. 

He played down its importance before the tournament began, but showed lots of emotion in his third round when the putts began to drop.

"I think it's appropriate to understand what's at stake," he said. 

"I've worked really hard for a long time to have a chance to win golf tournaments and to win major championships.

"This is why we practice and play, to have the opportunity to win golf tournaments, and that's what tomorrow is.

"I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament."