SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Not even Shinnecock Hills and its strongest test of the week in the U.S. Open could match the toughness of Wyndham Clark on Saturday.Clark had a collection of par saves around the turn as Scottie Scheffler was making a move and poured it on with a fairway metal to 4 feet for eagle on the par-5 16th for an even-par 70 that gave him a six-shot lead.No one has ever lost more than a five-shot lead in 125 previous editions of golf’s toughest test. Greg Norman in the 1996 Masters is the only player to lose a six-shot lead in any major.Shinnecock Hills did its part, even after the strongest wind subsided. Only two players managed to break par in the third round — Emiliano Grillo in 30 mph wind before the leaders teed off, and Scheffler with a 69.Clark nearly joined them. After all his great saves, he missed a 5-foot par putt on the final hole and finished at 7-under 203, the lowest 54-hole score ever at Shinnecock Hills.Now he has one more round to add another U.S. Open title to the one he captured at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023. At his side will be Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, trying to turn Sunday into a most magical …
