Wyndham Clark set the pace at the U.S. Open with an impressive performance before fading daylight halted the first round at Shinnecock Hills. Despite adverse weather conditions, Clark capitalized on calm evening weather to finish six under par through 16 holes. His remarkable stretch, featuring consecutive birdies and an eagle, distanced him from the competition, putting him four shots ahead before play was suspended due to darkness.
The tournament’s opening day faced significant delays, with dense morning fog pushing the schedule back by over two hours. As a result, numerous participants were unable to complete their rounds. Among those who finished, Sam Stevens led at two under par. Meanwhile, several golfers, including Clark, will need to continue their first round on Friday.
Rory McIlroy stayed in the hunt with a one-under 69, initially claiming the outright lead before a series of late bogeys dropped him back. However, the Masters champion remains well-positioned to challenge in the second round. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler overcame a tough start, managing to post a two-over 72 and keeping within reach of the frontrunners despite challenging conditions.
To maintain fairness amidst the forecast of strong winds, tournament officials took the unusual measure of watering the greens. As the field looks to complete their opening rounds, Wyndham Clark holds a promising lead, aiming for his second U.S. Open title as he resumes play.