The opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills saw Wyndham Clark take a commanding lead before play was suspended due to fading light. With a remarkable performance in the latter part of his round, Clark moved to six under par through 16 holes, capitalizing on the calmer evening conditions. His impressive streak of birdie, birdie, and eagle allowed him to pull four shots ahead of the competition, setting him apart from a tightly contested leaderboard. As darkness fell, Sam Stevens emerged as the leader among those who completed their rounds, sitting at two under par. However, several players were still on the course when the suspension was called.
The day’s proceedings were significantly affected by dense morning fog, causing a delay of over two hours and preventing many competitors from finishing their rounds. Despite the challenging weather, Clark’s strong finish placed him in a favorable position early in the tournament. Rory McIlroy, who scored a one-under 69, remained a strong contender. The Masters champion briefly held an outright lead before a few late bogeys dropped him back, though he stayed within striking distance as the second round approached.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging day, ending with a two-over 72. Despite an inconsistent start, Scheffler managed to recover and keep himself within reach of the leaders. In response to the forecast of strong winds over the coming days, tournament officials took the unusual step of watering the greens to ensure fair conditions for all players.
With many players still needing to complete their opening rounds, Clark is set to resume play on Friday in a strong position as he aims for his second U.S. Open title. The tournament’s initial disruptions have set the stage for a competitive contest as players navigate both the course and unpredictable weather conditions.