Indian-American star Sahith Theegala scrambled his way into a share of second place alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler and two others after 54 holes of the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Saturday. Image courtesy usopen.com.
By Rahul Banerji
Wyndham Clark tightened his grip on a second US Open title in three years, opening up a six-shot lead on Moving Day at Southampton, New York, despite continuing unfriendly conditions.
With cards of 64, 69 and 70, the 2023 champion was at 7 under par 203 for the tournament and had world number one Scottie Scheffler and Indian-American Sahith Theegala among his closest pursuers on 1 under 209 after 54 holes.
Korea’s Joohyung ‘Tom’ Kim and US qualifier Sam Stevens were also part of the four-strong group sharing second place at the 126th edition of the championship.
Theegala (72-67-70) produced a patient display despite the demanding nature of the course to hold a place alongside Scheffler (72-68-69), who is looking to complete a career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills.
Fellow Indian-origin stars Akshay Bhatia (70-70-73) and PGA champion Aaron Rai (74-67-72) were tied for 17th place on 3 over 213, as was world number two Rory McIlroy (69-71-73).
“I mean, I’d rather be leading,” said Scheffler, later.
“We’ve been battling hard for a few days, and I did a good job of keeping myself in the tournament. I’ll need a really nice round tomorrow if I’m going to try and catch Wyndham.”
Clark negotiated another punishing day, relying on outstanding scrambling to preserve his lead.
Scrambling star
He saved par as many as seven times after missing greens and produced the championship’s only eagle on the par-five 16th after a stunning 275-yard three-wood left him a four-foot putt.
“That’s what you have to make to win US Opens,” Clark said of his clutch par saves. “You’re not going to have too many birdie putts, and when you do miss, it’s really hard to hit a gimme.”
Clark is just the fifth player in tournament history to hold a six-shot lead after 54 holes.
Statistics are in his favour as 20 of the previous 21 leaders by six strokes or more in the final round of a major have gone on to win.
Yet, no 36-hole leader at any US Opens at Shinnecock Hills has gone on to win. Greg Norman (1986 and 1995), Phil Mickelson (2004) and Dustin Johnson (2018) were all in that position and all left empty-handed.
Yet, with six shots in the bag and just five men left in red numbers (under par), Clark will be quietly fancying his chances.
For Theegala, Moving Day meant more than just numbers on a card. His round featured one bogey and one birdie, not fully reflecting how well he played.
“It was a grind,” the Californian said after his round. “I hit it really, really well today. I might have missed one or two fairways, honestly, and only one or two greens.
Close shaves
“I hit it kind of right where I was looking almost all day. Just middle of the green, a lot of putts from 12 to 30 feet but just could not buy one.
“It was one of the biggest tests of patience I’ve ever had in a single round in my life. It’s so easy to get frustrated with how well I hit it and not having anything to show for it. But I’m very happy with how today went.”
Theegala’s persistence was finally rewarded at the closing hole, where two excellent shots left him with a stress-free tap-in birdie.
“It was really nice not having to putt on the last hole,” the 28-year-old said. “It was very rewarding because I really played awesome today, and it’s nice to at least have one birdie to show for it.”
Clark’s most dangerous challenger, however, is Scheffler.
The world no. 1 recovered from two opening bogeys to post a 3 under 69, highlighted by a sparkling back-nine 32 that included three birdies.
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo climbed into a tie for sixth with the round of the day, a 3 under 67 to join Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and and two others.
Grillo and Scheffler returned under-par scores on Saturday.
Also read: Clark extends his US Open lead in trying Shinnecock conditions
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