Clark heads the field at US Open as McIlroy leads chase

Former champion Wyndham Clark remained top of a stacked US Open leaderboard but was being stalked by a number of serial major winners led by Rory McIlroy on the second day at Shinnecock Hills on Friday.

A year ago the 32-year-old was trashing a locker in the historic Oakmont clubhouse after missing the cut in the defence of his title.

Fast-forward 12 months and the facilities manager could rest easy as the American was sitting pretty after a one-under round of 69 kept the gap at four.

“I’ve gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so. The thing that’s unfortunate is that’s not who I am, what happened last year,” he said.

“I’m hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident.

“I really feel like I can show people that I’m fun and outgoing, I’m fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment.”

McIlroy (six majors) was two under for his round through nine holes to move into joint second on three under.

Matt Fitzpatrick (one major) and Xander Schauffele (two) were also on that score having completed their rounds, while two-time major winners Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas were one and two shots further back.

However, Clark did not appear to have too much cause for concern as he left the Long Island venue early in the afternoon after playing 20 holes in the day to complete his delayed first round.

He began the morning four clear, briefly saw his lead halved before stretching it to five 13 holes into his second round but finished where he started.

Only Fitzpatrick of his nearest rivals overnight stayed the distance with Morikawa (starting at three over) and Schauffele (one over) both coming through the field.

The 2016 champion Dustin Johnson rolled back the years with a first-round 66 but then dropped eight strokes in five holes just after the turn of his second round.

Gary Woodland, who won this title at Pebble Beach in 2019, did similarly with six bogeys and both could only watch on as playing partner Clark posted three birdies and two bogeys.

Fitzpatrick shot a level-par 70 to sit at three under – alongside Schauffele after his 66 – which he was reasonably happy with after an early alarm call to finish his first round and post a 67.

“I cut a lot off the routine, to be honest, shortened a few things as much as I could but it was 4am for me this morning,” said the Sheffield golfer, who has won twice on the PGA Tour this season.

“I can’t complain – I play golf for a living – (but) it wasn’t very enjoyable, I know that.

“I know I’m four behind but I might be one of the last few groups tomorrow so I feel like a) I’ve obviously been in that situation before, and b) (I have) the game to match.

“I definitely feel more confident. I think some of the stuff I’ve ticked off this year and played so well has obviously only added to that.”

Morikawa was two under after a 65 with Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Thomas one under after a 68.

At the conclusion of the first round Joaquin Niemann was assessed two penalty strokes for throwing a club on the par-four sixth hole, deemed “serious misconduct” under rule 1.2b and the first significant punishment under the newly introduced code of conduct regulations.

The Chilean’s score for that hole, where he drove out of bounds twice, was recorded as an 11 and he signed for an eight-over 78.