US Open Challenger
Kim, Stevens, Theegala Tied for Second at US Open, Six Shots Behind Clark
Wyndham Clark enters Sunday's final round of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills with a six-shot lead, sitting at 12-under par after a masterful third-round 65 AP News. Tied for second at 6-under are Scottie Scheffler and a trio of relative unknowns — Tom Kim, Sam Stevens, and Sahith Theegala — all needing a historic comeback to claim the title AP News.
The three dreamers have just 39 combined major starts since 2020 and only one top-5 finish between them Yakima Herald. Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, is the overwhelming favorite. But Shinnecock Hills has swallowed leaders before.
Clark Cruises as Dreamers Scramble to Keep Pace
Clark shot a brilliant third-round 65, building his lead to six shots over a crowded field NBC Sports. He has been dominant off the tee all week. Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee put it plainly: "Wyndham Clark is playing a different game right now. His strokes gained off the tee are historic" NBC Sports.
Kim, Stevens, and Theegala all posted rounds in the 60s on Saturday to stay alive AP News. Theegala holed a 40-foot birdie on the 14th hole during a back-nine charge. "I'm just happy to be in the conversation," Theegala said. "We're chasing a titan, but that's why we play" ESPN.
Six Shots Back: What History Says About the Odds
Making up six shots in a final round would be the second-largest comeback in U.S. Open history. Arnold Palmer trailed by seven at Cherry Hills in 1960, shot a final-round 65, and won AP News. That remains the gold standard. A six-shot deficit is one less than Palmer's miracle.
The numbers are tough. Leaders with a five-shot advantage or more in majors win 88% of the time, according to Datagolf. Clark's win probability entering Sunday sits at 74%, with Scheffler at 14% and the entire rest of the field — including the three dreamers — at just 12% combined.
Scheffler's Grand Slam Bid Looms Over Clark
For Scottie Scheffler, Sunday is about more than a trophy. A win at Shinnecock would put him one major away from the career Grand Slam. Analyst Paul McGinley called Scheffler's presence at T-2 a "looming nightmare" for Clark. "The three youngsters are playing for their lives, but Scheffler is playing for history," McGinley said NBC Sports.
Scheffler was measured but direct after Saturday's round. "If the wind picks up tomorrow, six shots isn't impossible," he said. "But Wyndham isn't giving much away" Golf Channel. Winds are forecast to gust to 25 mph by mid-afternoon Sunday — exactly the kind of chaos that could scramble the leaderboard fast.
Shinnecock Hills Could Be the Wildcard That Changes Everything
Shinnecock Hills has a history of punishing leaders on Sunday. In 2004 and 2018, the course dried out badly and scores jumped. The USGA has adopted a more careful setup in 2026 to avoid a repeat, but the wind and firm greens can still turn a six-shot lead into a scramble fast Golf Digest.
Clark sounded calm but aware of the danger. "Six shots is a lot, but this is Shinnecock," he said. "You can lose three holes in twenty minutes here if you aren't careful. My job is to stay bored" AP News. If he stays bored, he likely wins his second major. If the course wakes up, the dreamers get their shot at history.
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