US Open is Clark's to lose as Scheffler makes move

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, For the photo caption: Wyndham Clark has the third largest 54-hole lead at a US Open since the World War II By Steven Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist Published 7 minutes ago US Open, round three leaderboard Leader: -7 W Clark (US); -1 S Scheffler (US), S Theegala (US), T Kim (Kor), S Stevens (US) Selected: Level X Schauffele (US); +1 T Fleetwood (Eng), C Morikawa (US), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +2 A Fitzpatrick (Eng); +3 R McIlroy (NI), J Parry (Eng), A Rai (Eng); +4 J Rose (Eng), T Hatton (Eng); +7 R MacIntyre (Sco) In a third round that saw challengers rise but ultimately fall away, Wyndham Clark stood firm to position himself as the overwhelming favourite to win a second US Open title. Not only did the American fail to budge from the top of the pile, the 32-year-old extended his lead from four to six strokes as he looks to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the tournament since Martin Kaymer in 2014. Clark delivered a masterclass in scrambling at Shinnecock Hills before signing for a level-par 70 that gives him a commanding advantage heading into Sunday's final round. Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim and Sam Stevens are among a quartet at one under but ominously for Clark, so too is Scottie Scheffler, who arguably represents the biggest danger to him repeating his triumph at the Los Angeles Country Club, in 2023. A shot further back and all but out of contention are Americans Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele, while Collin Morikawa and England's Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are at one over. But it is the presence of world number one Scheffler that will concern Clark the most, even if there has only been one occasion since the first Masters in 1934 that a six-shot lead has been overturned in the final round of a major championship - when Greg Norman faded and Nick Faldo claimed his third Masters title in 1996. "I feel good. I have got more and more comfortable every time I have got in these positions," said Clark. "Scottie is the best player in the world, and he's probably going to play really good. He always does, but it's nice to have a six-shot lead on him. "I'm just going to keep approaching it the same way. If I go through my process and hit the shots I know I can hit, I like my chances." Scheffler ignites career Grand Slam hopes Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The biggest deficit that Scottie Scheffler has overcome in a final round to win previously is five strokes at the Players Championship in 2024 At the end of the delayed first round on Friday, Scheffler was joint 49th after opening with a two-over 72. On Sunday, he will be in the final pairing heading out alongside Clark. For all of Clark's heroics on Saturday, and there were plenty, including a magnificent eagle-three at the par-five 16th and several audacious escapes to get up and down for par, it will be another matter entirely to see how his game stands up with the world's best player, metaphorically breathing down his neck. A form