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The Open 2026: Suber's Surprise Lead at Birkdale
Jackson Suber shot 5-under 65 to take the clubhouse lead after Round 1 of The Open at
Clark Grinds Out US Open Title at Shinnecock Hills
Wyndham Clark wins his second US Open at -4 (276), holding off Sam Burns by one stroke in a wire-to-wire victory at Shinnecock Hills.
Wyndham Clark is the 2026 US Open champion, signing for a final-round 73 to finish at 4-under 276 and beat Sam Burns by one stroke. Burns fired a 67 to make Sunday uncomfortable, but Clark led from the weather-hit opening round onward at Shinnecock Hills, becoming the first wire-to-wire US Open winner in 12 years.
- Clark wins at -4 (276) by one stroke. Rounds: 64-69-70-73. Burns shot 67 on Sunday to finish at -3 (277).
- Clark's six-shot lead into Sunday was the largest 54-hole advantage in US Open history at Shinnecock. By the turn it was one shot. He held it through 18.
- Clark signed a putter-only deal with Ping in April 2026 and carried the Ping Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset all four rounds.
- Scottie Scheffler, chasing the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday, fell back on the front nine and never challenged.
He nearly gave it away
Clark carried a six-shot lead into Sunday, the largest 54-hole advantage in US Open history at Shinnecock and the cushion he built across a record-setting moving day. He made zero birdies on the front nine while Burns was charging. By the turn the lead was down to one shot: Clark at -4, Burns at -3.
Burns couldn't bridge the gap on the back nine. Clark reached 18 with his lead intact, and a final-round 73 was enough. Not comfortable golf, but the same answer as rounds one, two, and three: Clark in front.
The putter story
Photo: Titleist / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Clark signed a putter-only endorsement deal with Ping in April 2026, switching to the Ping Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset. At the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May, he posted 12.5 strokes gained putting for the week, a PGA Tour SG:Putting record. He carried that same putter through all four rounds at Shinnecock.
The 12.5 SG number from Byron Nelson is the kind of outlier that makes you stop and wonder what actually changed between him and that blade. Nothing in his putting history before April suggested it was coming.
His broader setup reflects his 2026 free-agent status: TaylorMade Qi4D driver, Titleist irons and ball, Ping putter. Nobody owns his bag.
Scheffler's Grand Slam bid stalls
Scottie Scheffler entered the final round in the last group, chasing the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday. He fell back on the front nine and was never a factor. Clark's wire-to-wire control of the tournament made it a chase Scheffler couldn't sustain. The Grand Slam bid goes on hold for at least another year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 US Open?
Wyndham Clark won the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, finishing at -4 (276) to beat Sam Burns (-3, 277) by one stroke. Clark led after every round, becoming the first wire-to-wire US Open champion in 12 years.
What putter did Wyndham Clark use at the 2026 US Open?
Clark carried the Ping Scottsdale TEC Ally Blue Onset throughout all four rounds. He signed a putter-only deal with Ping in April 2026 and set a PGA Tour SG:Putting record at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May, posting 12.5 strokes gained putting for the week.
Who finished second at the 2026 US Open?
Sam Burns finished at -3 (277), one stroke behind Clark. Burns fired a final-round 67 to cut Clark's six-shot overnight lead to one by the turn, but couldn't close the gap on the back nine.
When was the last wire-to-wire US Open champion before Clark?
Clark is the first player to lead after every round of the US Open in 12 years. The previous wire-to-wire champion was Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014.
Did Scottie Scheffler win the career Grand Slam at the 2026 US Open?
No. Scheffler played in the final group on his 30th birthday, with the US Open the only major he hadn't won. He fell back on the front nine and wasn't a factor in the finish.
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