{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/6a35edcc4a8189f2c3f97379?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"CLARK’S RECORD PACE & LIV’S FRIDAY NIGHTMARE - June 20th, 2026","description":"<p>On Friday, June 20th, 2026, Round 2 of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills delivered historic highs and catastrophic lows, headlined by Wyndham Clark's record-setting pace and a disastrous cut day for LIV Golf's biggest stars.</p><p><br></p><h3>WYNDHAM CLARK'S REDEMPTION ARC</h3><ul><li>Wyndham Clark seized control of Shinnecock Hills, setting a 36-hole U.S. Open scoring record at 7-under par, marking a stunning mental turnaround following his infamous locker-kicking suspension at Oakmont in 2025.</li><li>\"Sometimes you go up and sometimes you have to go down to go back up,\" Clark said regarding his recent work with sports therapist Julie Elion.</li><li>Clark's newfound zen is a stark contrast to last year's explosive outbursts, proving that prioritizing mental health can directly translate to major championship leaderboards.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>LIV GOLF'S FRIDAY DISASTER</h3><ul><li>It was a brutal Friday for the LIV Golf contingent, with heavyweights Jon Rahm (+6) and Bryson DeChambeau (+5) shockingly missing the cut while Dustin Johnson suffered a catastrophic back-nine collapse.</li><li>DJ went from bombing a 391-yard drive over a spectator crosswalk to carding a brutal quadruple-bogey eight on the 15th hole, plummeting down the leaderboard to +3.</li><li>Despite the massive drives, the punishing Shinnecock layout proved that raw power is no match for U.S. Open rough, sending two of the game's biggest stars packing early.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>NIEMANN'S MELTDOWN &amp; HIGGS' MIRACLE</h3><ul><li>Joaquin Niemann made history for the wrong reasons, receiving a two-stroke penalty under the new USGA Rule 1.2b for throwing his club 50 yards after being denied fire ant relief, turning a 9 into an 11.</li><li>Niemann owned the meltdown, admitting, \"that was a misbehave from my part,\" before incredibly bouncing back to shoot a 65.</li><li>Meanwhile, Harry Higgs went from nearly quitting golf 12 days ago to making the cut at -1 in borrowed pants, draining a 75-foot putt on the 11th to feel \"like a rock star.\"</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>OFF-COURSE SHOCKER: MICKELSON SCANDAL</h3><ul><li>A shocking off-course scandal rocked the golf world as Phil Mickelson was confronted mid-round and forced to resign from The Farms Country Club over allegations of nonconsensual physical contact with a female employee.</li><li>Mickelson's camp has quickly dismissed the serious allegations as a mere \"misunderstanding.\"</li><li>The mid-round confrontation adds a dark, unprecedented layer of drama to an already chaotic and historic U.S. Open week.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>Schauffele, Fitzpatrick (-3), Scheffler, and Morikawa (65) lurk on the leaderboard while McIlroy recovers to even par after thinning a 78-yard wedge • 17-year-old Miles Russell impressively makes the weekend cut • Amateur Giuseppe Puebla makes NIL history by sporting a Chipotle hat on the course</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}