Wyndham Clark extends U.S. Open lead as Jon Rahm collapses

Wyndham Clark solidified his position atop the U.S. Open leaderboard on Friday, extending his lead to four strokes with a total of seven under par. After an impressive opening round of 64, Clark maintained his strong performance with a one-under-par 69 on the challenging Shinnecock Hills course.

Clark's round included three birdies and two bogeys, showcasing his consistent play. He now holds a significant advantage over his closest competitors: Britain's Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Americans Xander Schauffele and Sam Stevens, along with South Korea's Tom Kim, all tied at three under par.

In stark contrast, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm experienced a dramatic downturn. Rahm, who had started the day just four strokes behind Clark, faltered considerably after the fifth hole. He recorded six bogeys and a double bogey on the 16th, resulting in an eight-over-par 78 for the round. This collapse meant Rahm missed the cut for the weekend play, ending his chances in the third major championship of the season.

Rahm's fellow Spaniards also faced difficulties. David Puig finished with a nine-over-par, and Rocco Repetto, in his major debut, ended at 17 over par, both failing to advance. The only Spaniard to successfully make the cut was Ángel Hidalgo from Malaga, who sits in 49th place at three over par, with limited prospects for a top finish.