Wyndham Clark surged to a commanding lead at the US Open on Thursday, reaching six under par through 16 holes before darkness suspended the first round at Shinnecock Hills. The 2023 champion holds a four-stroke advantage over a chasing group at two under, including clubhouse leader Sam Stevens.
Clark's Dominant Start
The 32-year-old American capitalized on calm evening conditions, reeling off birdie, birdie, and eagle at holes three, four, and five to break away from a congested leaderboard. No player has led the US Open by four or more shots after the first round since Tommy Armour in 1933. "Everything was kind of clicking," Clark said. "We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down."
Weather Delays and McIlroy's Charge
The round began with a fog delay of over two hours, pushing play into the evening. Rory McIlroy, seeking his first US Open title since 2011, briefly held the solo lead at two under after birdies at the 11th and 12th. He later eagled the fifth to reach three under but dropped two late bogeys to finish at one-under 69. "I should be in my comfort zone at Shinnecock," McIlroy said, reflecting on his 2018 miss.
Other Contenders
Amateurs Ryder Cowan and Preston Stout impressed early, with Cowan finishing at two under. Scottie Scheffler struggled to a two-over 72 after a turbulent start. The USGA watered greens to prevent excessive speed amid forecasted winds exceeding 30 mph. "The last thing they wanted was balls blowing off greens," Scheffler noted.
Play resumes Friday with Clark holding a historic lead. Shinnecock's forgiving history suggests the chase is far from over.
