Wyndham Clark made a significant impact in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, pulling ahead of the competition before play was suspended due to dwindling daylight. Clark’s impressive performance saw him reach six under par across 16 holes, capitalizing on the calmer conditions of the evening with a remarkable sequence of birdies and an eagle, which allowed him to build a four-shot lead. As play was brought to a halt, Sam Stevens had completed his round at two under par, while several players, still on the course, awaited their chance to finish.
Earlier in the day, dense fog caused a delay of more than two hours, heavily affecting the schedule and preventing many competitors from completing their rounds. Despite these challenges, Clark’s late surge positioned him strongly as the tournament proceeded. This brilliant finish has set him up as a formidable contender for a potential second U.S. Open title once play resumes.
Among the other notable players, Rory McIlroy also kept himself in the mix with a one-under 69. McIlroy, a Masters champion, briefly held the lead before a few late bogeys dropped him back. Nevertheless, he remains well within reach of the leaders as the second round approaches, maintaining his place as a strong competitor.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faced a challenging day, finishing with a two-over 72. Despite an uneven start, Scheffler managed to recover and stay competitive. In response to strong winds expected in the coming days, tournament officials took the unusual step of watering the greens to ensure fair conditions for all players.
As the U.S. Open continues into its second day, many players will return to complete their opening rounds. Clark is poised to continue his impressive run, aiming to extend his lead and secure another major victory when play resumes on Friday.