U.S. Open leader Wyndham Clark's golf bag toppled over in a powerful gust at Shinnecock Hills on Saturday, nearly striking him as he stood nearby.

Golf Channel captured the moment on video and posted it to X, putting the moment into words: "Wyndham Clark almost took a hit from his bag falling over."

Clark's golf bag toppled over in the wind, and the leader narrowly avoided getting hit as it fell.

"Watch what happens to the wind about, back down, and almost takes out our leader there," the broadcast said. "It is windy, we know that. We've seen that happen earlier this morning up on the range."

Thursday's opening round was played in gusts of 20 to 35 mph, with the toughest conditions hitting the morning wave. Rory McIlroy managed a 1-under round, while Scottie Scheffler posted a 2-over score.

Clark, playing in calmer afternoon conditions, built a four-shot lead through 16 holes before darkness halted his round.

"Everything was kind of clicking," he said. "We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down. Overall, a good round." His highlight was an eagle on the par-5 fifth.

By Saturday, the wind had returned, and so had the pressure. Clark clung to a two-stroke lead after nine holes as Scottie Scheffler made a charge, birdieing three straight holes at 14, 15, and 16.

Clark's round wobbled in the wind, with an opening bogey, a birdie at the fifth, and another bogey at the eighth. The same conditions that helped him build his lead Thursday nearly knocked over his bag on Saturday.

Clark has faced more than the weather this week.

Wyndham Clark and the comeback extends beyond the course

This U.S. Open carries weight beyond the leaderboard.

Clark came to Shinnecock after smashing a locker at Oakmont following a missed cut last year, months after throwing his driver during the PGA Championship.

According to club pro emeritus Bob Ford, Clark met the requirements set by Oakmont and the USGA. He paid for the damage, made a donation to charity, and completed anger management counseling.

"I've gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so," Clark said during his Saturday press conference. "I really feel like I can show people that I'm fun and outgoing, I'm fierce, competitive, love the game, respect the game, and I just had a bad moment. Hopefully, I can win those people back."

Clark heads into Sunday's final round leading the U.S. Open, one year removed from the incident at Oakmont.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav