Wyndham Clark made a remarkable late surge to take a four-shot lead in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, before fading light brought play to a halt. With the 2023 champion at six under par after 16 holes, he capitalized on the calm evening conditions, producing a series of impressive shots including consecutive birdies and an eagle, which set him apart from a closely contested leaderboard. As darkness enveloped the course, Sam Stevens held the best completed round at two under par, with several players still needing to finish their rounds.
The first day of the tournament was significantly disrupted due to heavy fog in the morning, causing a more than two-hour delay that left numerous competitors unable to complete their rounds. Despite the challenging weather, Clark’s strong finish positioned him as the early frontrunner. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, who is the reigning Masters champion, maintained his place in the competition with a one-under 69. He briefly led the round before slipping back due to late bogeys, yet remained within reach of the leaders as the second round approached.
Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked as the World No. 1, faced a tough day, ending with a two-over 72. Despite an unstable start, he managed to keep himself in the running. In an attempt to maintain fair conditions amidst the forecasted strong winds, officials took the unusual step of watering the greens. This measure was aimed at ensuring the course remained playable over the upcoming days.
As play resumes on Friday, many players will look to complete their opening rounds. Wyndham Clark, however, already finds himself in a promising position as he pursues a second U.S. Open title. The anticipation builds as the tournament progresses, with Clark’s impressive performance setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the event.