What’s the biggest surprise of the US Open after 36 holes at Shinnecock?
Tune in to GOLF’s Tour Confidential every Sunday night for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the US Open at Shinnecock, we’ll hit one key topic each night.
After Day 2 of the US Open, Wyndham Clark remains atop the leaderboard, riding a four-stroke lead through 36 holes, while major winners such as Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas are in the hunt. At the other end of the leaderboard, stars like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka all failed to survive the four-over cut. As we head into the weekend, what has surprised you the most at Shinnecock so far?
Jessica Marksbury, editor-in-chief (@jess_marksbury): I’m going to take the low hanging fruit here. I didn’t expect Wyndham Clark to hold a four lead at the 36 mark. But maybe I should have given him more credit! After all, he is the latest champion, after winning the 2023 edition in Los Angeles. And he’s been trending of late, with a win, a solo third and a T11 in his last three starts. So given those stats, his lead shouldn’t be everything that it’s surprising – but Wyndham doesn’t strike me as a player who will consistently compete at the major stages. If he sees another US Open win this weekend, that will make a big statement.
Nick Piastowski, editor-in-chief (@nickpia): Harry Higgs, but not so much for his game, although it is surprising considering his recent form (six PGA Tour starts this season and six missed cuts, and four missed cuts in nine starts on the Korn Ferry Tour). I’m not sure I’ve heard a more honest and open press conference after that. He spoke with confidence. He talked about quitting. He talked about forgetting his pants. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.
Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): Watching someone take the red at Shinnecock — where only three players have ever finished lower than the US Open — was certainly unexpected. But perhaps the most amazing thing was watching Jon Rahm pitch on Friday. I didn’t have him ballooning to 78 on my bingo card, especially after playing his opening round 10 shots better.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): This may sound silly to say about someone who leads the tournament with four in the middle, but I think Wyndham’s score is slightly better than his actual game. He got a few good breaks with wayward drives (it seems that big mistakes are penalized less than the rough right down the fairway) and he hit long putts. That means, you have to put the ball in the hole. And he has done the best so far. Another surprise? Aside from Tom Kim having his best week of the season without a pursuit (he’s T2) it should be Jon Rahm who misses the cut. I’ve heard a lot of buzz about him this week and now he’s leaving early after shooting 10 more shots on Friday.
Zephyr Melton, game development editor (@zephyrmelton): What about the fact that 10(!) players are under two rounds? Only three players advanced to the US Opens in Shinnecock value broke the section. I expect the course to be firmer and more playable over the weekend, but I don’t know if anyone thought we’d see red on the board in the middle.
