With Rory McIlroy off to a solid start and Scottie Scheffler staying in career Grand Slam contention, Wyndham Clark opened up a four-stroke lead after a weather-challenged first day of the U.S. Open.
Only six of the morning waves were able to break in the gusty winds at Shinnecock Hills. Although the race was stopped two hours early due to fog, Clark took advantage of the calm afternoon weather to climb to the top of the leaderboard.
The 2023 champion reached the turn in 32 and made back-to-back birdies on the next two holes to cancel a bogey on the par-3 second. He then made a stunning approach to the par-5 fifth hole to set up a close-range eagle.
Wyndham Clark built a commanding early lead at the US Open.
Clark was six under par with two holes remaining in his round when play was halted for darkness at 8.25pm local time (1.25am BST), giving the American a chance to make major history when play resumes at 6.35am BST on Friday.
He shot an opening-round 63 and needs to birdie one of the two remaining holes to equal the course record, and a birdie-birdie finish would match the lowest round in men’s major history.
“The birdieing of the first two was really good,” Clark said. “Then there was a little lull, but I made a nice par save. It was a really nice birdie 18. Then I had a little mishap and missed the shorty on No. 1 and made bogey on No. 2, but then I got into a good rhythm. Everything was clicking.”
Sam Stevens was the pick of the morning starters, setting a clubhouse target of a 2-under 68, and later in the day only compatriot Max McGreevy and amateur Ryder Cowan could match it, with four former US Open champions also finishing at 2-under with a hole to spare.
Matt Fitzpatrick has two holes remaining and Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland both have three holes remaining. Meanwhile, two-time major winner Jon Rahm finished tied for second with five holes completed.
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Dustin Johnson recorded four straight birdies in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills to watch the two-time major champion climb the leaderboard.
McIlroy was impressed as Scheffler got off to a slow start.
Masters champion McIlroy moved up to 3 under par with an eagle on the fifth hole earlier in the day, but temporarily held a two-stroke lead, but the world No. 2, seeking his second major win of the season, closed with an opening-round 69 to bogey.
“In today’s conditions, anything below par or close to even par is a good score,” McIlroy said. “It was a day to hold my own in the tournament and not get carried away too much, which is exactly what I did eight years ago here (opening round 80).
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Rory McIlroy shot a 1-under opening round at the U.S. Open to fall one shot behind the morning clubhouse lead.
“I went out with the mindset that par was going to be good and if I can get a few birdies here and there, that’s always a bonus. It’s really just about minimizing my mistakes and I did that for the most part today.”
McIlroy’s playing partner Ludvig Åberg also finished at 1 under, Tommy Fleetwood was a stroke behind and world No. 1 Scheffler was four strokes behind after opening with a 2-over 72.
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Rory McIlroy jumped into the US Open lead after a stunning eagle on the par-5 fifth hole in the opening round.
Scheffler was joined by Players champion Cameron Young at 2-over par, Brooks Koepka, the 2017 U.S. Open champion at Shinnecock Hills, shot a 3-over 73 and defending champion JJ Spaun shot an opening 77.
“It was a really tough day,” Scheffler said. “If you had told me when I was looking at the par putt on the ninth hole that I was going to make two or more today, I would have made it then. It was a good performance overall.”
Those in the afternoon waves will get the best conditions and an early start on Friday. On Friday, tee times were pushed back 15 minutes later than originally scheduled.
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