Key facts
- No player leading at Shinnecock Hills after 36 holes has won the U.S. Open in the past 40 years.
- Wyndham Clark entered the final round with a four-shot lead.
- Dustin Johnson led by four shots in 2018 but finished tied for third.
- In 2004, Retief Goosen won after Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama shared the 36-hole lead.
- Corey Pavin won in 1995 after Greg Norman held the 36-hole lead.
- Raymond Floyd won in 1986, despite Greg Norman holding the 54-hole lead.
The U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills has a history of leaders faltering in the final rounds, with no player who held the 36-hole lead winning the tournament in the last 40 years. This historical trend loomed over Wyndham Clark, who entered the final day with a four-shot advantage.
In 2018, Dustin Johnson held a similar four-shot lead after two rounds but struggled on the weekend. Brooks Koepka eventually won that year. In 2004, Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama shared the halfway lead, but Retief Goosen emerged victorious after a challenging final round where no player broke par.
Greg Norman experienced similar disappointment at Shinnecock Hills, leading by two shots after 36 holes in 1995 before Corey Pavin came from behind to win. Norman also held the 54-hole lead in 1986, but Raymond Floyd ultimately claimed the title.
Broadcasters and former champions like Judy Rankin and Andy North emphasized the unpredictable nature of the U.S. Open, particularly at Shinnecock Hills, noting that scores can fluctuate wildly and the winner is often a surprise. Rankin recalled telling players to "save every shot" and that "you never know at the U.S. Open what's going to happen."