U.S. Open - day two digest

Clark retains four shot lead, Fitzpatrick in the hunt, Fleetwood and McIlroy believe it's still wide open, and Hidalgo makes his first Major cut. Here's what you need to know from day two of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

Clark takes four shot lead into the weekend with record scoring at Shinnecock Hills

Wyndham Clark made U.S. Open scoring history at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Friday and will hold a commanding four stroke lead over the field after adding a second round 69 to his opening 64.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion resumed his opening round on Friday morning before competing in the early wave in round two.

While others around him struggled in the conditions, Clark kept it very steady for his front-nine once again, carding eight pars in a row before a three-putt bogey at the ninth saw him drop back to five-under-par for the tournament.

He soon bounced back, following up a birdie at the 12^th with a second gain from just inside 30 feet at the 13^th to get to seven-under-par. Clark gave another shot back to the field at the 16^th but just two holes later he would cap off his second round by rolling in another long putt – this from 33 feet – to set the clubhouse target for a second consecutive day and set the lowest 36-hole score (133)  in U.S. Open history at this venue.

"It was a great way to finish the round. I really didn't putt my best on the green, so it's nice to have that momentum going into tomorrow."
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2022 U.S. Open winner Fitzpatrick comfortable in chasing pack position

Matt Fitzpatrick put on another composed display with a second round 70, and will head into the weekend four shots adrift of Clark alongisde Americnan trio Xander Schauffele, Tom Kim and Sam Stevens.

Following up an opening 67, Fitzpatrick parred his first 11 holes before back-to-back dropped shots from the 12th, but bounced back with two birdies in his final three holes to keep firmly in contention heading into the weekend.

"Even if I had finished with a par, I'd have been happy, in a really nice position going into the weekend," he said afterwards, "Yeah, you can't really ask for too much more really.

"You know, a couple of things I want to hopefully clean up for the weekend to feel a little bit more confident, but on the whole, it's been, yeah, a really good two days.

"I know I'm four behind, but might be one of the last few groups tomorrow. I feel like, A, I've obviously been in that situation before, and B, having the game to match.

"You know, I feel like maybe 2017 if I had managed to find myself in a position like that, I probably wasn't ready. I didn't hit it far enough or didn't hit my irons well enough, whatever it may be. 2022 with the way I was playing, I felt very comfortable to be in that position, and obviously the same today."

McIlroy, Fleetwood say tournament is still wide open

Tommy Fleetwood said that despite Wyndham Clark's four stroke lead, the U.S. Open is still wide open for those that made the cut due to the tough nature of Shinnecock Hills.

Fleetwood, who sits on one-over-par following a second round 71, was asked if he felt that the tournament was still wide open for any player who made the cut.

"I think so," he replied.

"You have one person that's a long way ahead. So you have Wyndham that's had an unbelievable two days, and aside from that, you have three under, which is the next best score. So, you know, anybody that makes the cut, if you have good for nine, which is, you know, three, four under, you're only three shots away from second if you like. So it's, yeah, and that's kind of what a U.S. Open's like or a major, you know, you know that If you're on that cut mark and you grind it out and you battle to make the cut, you just never know what can happen over the weekend, depending on conditions."

Masters Champion Rory McIlroy, who currently sits seven behind Clark on level par, echoed that sentiment speaking after his round.

Referencing Brooks Koepka's victory here in 2018, where he was five behind Dustin Johnson after 36 holes, McIlroy said if there was ever a course where a comeback was likely, it's Shinnecock Hills.

"I think Brooks was pretty far back going into the weekend in 2018. So, yeah, 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."

Rai reflects on 'very different Major' after making the cut

“It’s a very different Major. It’s a different setup and the course plays very different. And I think every tournament, let alone a Major Championship requires a lot of preparation, a lot of discipline and a lot of focus. As soon as you take your eye off the ball in any event, it can cost you.

“It’s been difficult but I think it’s been fair. Good shots get rewarded and bad shots obviously you get punished.” The newest Major Champion Aaron Rai reflects on an excellent turnaround on his second round to make the cut at Shinnecock."

Hidalgo makes first Major cut U.S. Open debut

Angel Hidalgo made it through Final Qualifying at Walton Heath to book his first appearance in the U.S. Open, and third Major start of his career.

With rounds of 69 and 74, Hidalgo is the only Spaniard to make the weekend at Shinnecock Hills.

"I feel good," he said afterwards. "I'm so happy to be in the weekend finally in a Major, my first U.S. Open, this course is something pretty cool."