Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, shot even par in Friday’s second round at Shinnecock Hills to stay at 3-under for the championship, tied for third on the leaderboard. The Englishman sits three shots behind leader Wyndham Clark and one behind Xander Schauffele heading into the weekend.

Fitzpatrick parred every hole on the front nine, then traded two bogeys and two birdies on the back nine to return a clean card. No big numbers, no scrambling for recovery. At a U.S. Open venue that rewards patience, Fitzpatrick managed his card well.

Nine straight pars

Nine consecutive pars on a Shinnecock Hills front nine may not generate highlights, but it is high-quality major championship golf. The course, hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time, demands precision over aggression, and Fitzpatrick’s opening stretch reflected that understanding. He kept the round alive by refusing to force anything, then absorbed the back nine’s fluctuations without letting either bogey spiral.

The balanced back nine, two birdies cancelling two bogeys, meant Friday’s work added nothing and gave nothing back. At 3-under through 36 holes on a course the USGA has set up to resist low scoring, that qualifies as a strong position.

The setup Fitzpatrick wanted

Before the tournament, Fitzpatrick told the DP World Tour he wanted Shinnecock “as dry and firm as possible,” and that he does not enjoy birdie-fests. “I don’t particularly like playing birdie-fests,” he said. His even-par Friday was consistent with that preference, a round built on control.

Fitzpatrick also defended the venue against lingering criticism of the USGA’s 2018 setup. “I never believed they lost it. I don’t think they lost the golf course at all here,” he said. His comfort at Shinnecock has history behind it: he finished tied 12th here during that 2018 championship as a 23-year-old.

Leaderboard and weekend outlook

Clark’s 6-under total sets the pace after two rounds, with Schauffele one shot further back at 4-under. Fitzpatrick’s 3-under keeps him firmly in the mix. Round 1 was delayed by fog on Thursday, and Friday’s tee times were pushed back 15 minutes as a result, with Fitzpatrick going out in the 7:45 a.m. group alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland.

Fitzpatrick arrived at Shinnecock Hills with three wins already in 2026, form that underlines his credentials as a weekend contender. His record in U.S. Opens, anchored by the 2022 title at Brookline, suggests he thrives when the scoring environment tightens and the margins narrow.

At Shinnecock Hills, where the course punishes ambition and rewards composure, Fitzpatrick’s even-par round sent him into the final two days on his terms.

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