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"He was fighting everything," Randall Clark said. "He was fighting everyone. He's all alone out there."

Wyndham Clark's six-shot advantage was perilously close to evaporating at several points Sunday, but he hung on to secure the win.

Clark, 32, won his second U.S. Open in four years, but gave up nearly all of a six-stroke lead to start the day.

Fans lining the Shinnecock Hills fairways shouted "get in the bunker!" with every shot as Clark worked his way through the first nine holes.

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Wyndham Clark's six-shot lead is the largest through 54 holes at the U.S. Open since Rory McIlroy led by eight strokes in 2011.

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"We put cathedrals at No. 1. ... You could argue that's a terrible way to think, but that's what separates us from a (PGA) Tour stop."

The four-time major winner is within striking distance of leader Wyndham Clark thanks to a back-nine charge at Shinnecock Hills.

"Man, at this point in my life, what's tough is that I just want to be the version of who I want to be.'