Check in to GOLF’s Tour Confidential every Sunday night for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the U.S. Open at Shinnecock, we’ll hit one key topic each night.
Wyndham Clark leads by six with 18 holes to play at Shinnecock Hills. Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala and Sam Stevens are all tied for second at one under. Clark and Scheffler make up Sunday’s final pairing. But will Scottie — or anyone — catch Wyndham come Sunday?
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I’d love to say that Scottie or someone else can go low on Sunday and Clark will stumble to give us some Father’s Day drama, but everything points to this being more 2014 U.S. Open than 1996 Masters. Anything can happen on a Sunday at Shinnecock. A 73 from Clark and a 67 from Scheffler gets us to a playoff. On paper, that’s doable. But I don’t think it’ll be reality. Despite some shaky iron play on Saturday, Wyndham Clark is playing the best golf. He has taken advantage of the times the wind has been down and wiggled his way out of almost every jam he has found himself in. Maybe he gets hit in the face early Sunday and collapses, but I don’t think that’s going to be the story of the 2026 U.S. Open. Clark wins by 4.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): My brother texted me this morning looking for some, ahem, gaming advice for the weekend rounds at Shinny. “Hard not like to Wyndo,” I typed. “Lights out last 4 starts. Going to be v hard to catch in these conditions. Could win by 7 tbh.”
“That ain’t happening,” he replied.
He was right: Clark could win by 10. It’s oh-vah.
Nick Pastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Someone could. But they won’t. I picked Clark at the start of the week. I’m sticking with it. He’s been in good form for a while now, and this week, he’s been excellent across the bag. Sunday, he shoots a 72 and wins by three.
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): A bogey/birdie exchange on the opening hole trims the lead to four. By the turn, Scheffler is two down. And by day’s end, he’s celebrating his birthday by completing the career Grand Slam. Probably not. But that would be wild. For that reason, I’m sticking with it. Plus, who wants to read a roundtable where everyone agrees?
