Australia's golfers have suffered an inglorious wipe-out as Wyndham Clark remained firmly on course to capture a second US Open crown in three years.
As Clark surged to a four-shot halfway lead, no Australians made the cut for the first time since 1959 after Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Lucas Herbert and milestone-man Adam Scott all floundered at beastly Shinnecock Hills.
There were no such troubles for Clark as the 2023 champion apologised for an infamous locker-room meltdown after seizing command on a marathon day for the runaway leader.
Clark initially had a four-shot buffer slashed in half after returning early on Friday morning to conclude his weather-delayed first round, before wrestling back control.
The 2023 winner followed up his opening 64 with a second-round 69 to move to seven under and open his huge advantage over fellow Americans Xander Schauffele (71-66), Sam Stevens (68-69), England's Matt Fitzpatrick (67-70) and South Korean star Tom Kim (70-67).
