126th US Open: Clark Takes Wind out of Shinnecock Hills; Leads Suspended Round 1 by 4

Wyndham Clark / USGA

Going into Thursday’s opening round of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, all the talk was about the expected high winds that were going to whip through the eastern end of Long Island.

Then Mother Nature threw in a curveball.

Yes, the conditions were quite blustery on the classic William Flynn design hosting its sixth U.S. Open and fifth in the last 40 years. But when thick morning fog rolled in shortly after the opening tee shots, reducing visibility to the point that playing championship golf was impossible, the horns blew. The suspension, which began at 7:05 a.m. EDT, pushed everything back two hours.

Wyndham Clark, the 2023 champion, was the day's standout performer. Through 15 holes, he sat at 6-under par — including an eagle on the par-5 fifth — before darkness suspended play. If he pars his final three holes, it would be the second-lowest round in Shinnecock history, behind Tommy Fleetwood's final-round 63 in 2018.

Eight players finished Round 1 under par, with 17 total in the red when play was suspended due to darkness at 8:35 p.m. Among the notable scores: Rory McIlroy (69) made an eagle and two late bogeys in a rollercoaster round, while Dustin Johnson made four straight birdies before a double bogey left him at 2 under with a hole to finish. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, seeking the career Grand Slam, struggled to a 2-over 72.

Three players with Oklahoma ties each carded 68s: Sam Stevens (Oklahoma State), Max McGreevy (University of Oklahoma) and current Sooner amateur Ryder Cowan, whose score matched the best ever by an amateur at Shinnecock. Two-time champion Bryson DeChambeau was also at 1 under through 16 holes.

Fifty players will return Friday morning to complete their first rounds, with all second-round tee times pushed back 15 minutes. While winds are expected to ease slightly, history suggests the course won't get much easier — only three players have ever finished under par for 72 holes across the venue's five previous U.S. Opens.

Courtesy Julia Pine, USGA