Wyndham Clark surged ahead in the US Open, establishing a significant four-stroke lead before fading light brought the opening round to a premature close. The 2023 champion reached six under par through 16 holes when play was suspended at 8:25 PM, leaving a crowded field trailing.
Clark’s Dominant Performance
While much of the day saw a tightly packed leaderboard, reminiscent of busy Hamptons traffic, Clark found an unexpected surge in performance. He birdied the third and fourth holes, followed by an eagle on the fifth, to dramatically separate himself from the competition. This commanding lead is the largest after the opening round of a US Open since Tommy Armour held a five-shot advantage in 1933.
“Everything was kind of clicking,” Clark commented, expressing a desire for redemption after a missed cut last year. “We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down.” He capitalized on unusually calm conditions during the late afternoon, often referred to as the ‘golden hour’.
Early Disruptions and Surprising Contenders
The day at Shinnecock Hills, the historic Long Island venue hosting its sixth U.S. Open, began with a fog delay. A dense coastal haze reduced visibility shortly after the first tee shot at 6:35 AM, leading officials to suspend play for over two hours. This disruption ensured the first round would extend into Friday.
Among the early surprise names near the top were two 21-year-old amateur golfers from Oklahoma colleges. Ryder Cowan, a rising senior playing in his first U.S. Open, and Preston Stout, the world’s second-ranked amateur, both spent time sharing the lead before falling back.
McIlroy’s Strong Start and Setbacks
Following the restart, Masters champion Rory McIlroy quickly made his presence felt. He birdied the 11th and 12th holes to reach two under par, briefly holding the solo lead. This performance continues his impressive streak of U.S. Open form, with six top-10 finishes and two runner-up spots in his last seven appearances.
McIlroy reflected on his previous experience at Shinnecock in 2018, where he missed the cut after a difficult opening. “I remember thinking to myself, I’ve got this backwards,” he stated. That disappointment, he explained, prompted a significant reevaluation of his game, prioritizing trajectory control, wedge play, and short-game precision for major championships.
He later moved to three under par with an eagle at the fifth, his first in nine years at a U.S. Open, after reaching the green with a pitching wedge from 194 yards. However, two late bogeys saw him finish the round at one-under-par 69, keeping him firmly in contention.
Challenging Conditions and Course Management
The morning gloom transitioned into a windswept afternoon on the expansive, treeless course. For Scottie Scheffler, aiming to complete the career grand slam, the day presented early challenges, dropping six strokes off the pace before battling back to a two-over-par 72. “Overall it was a really challenging day,” Scheffler said. “If you told me when I was staring at my par putt on nine that I would post two-over today, I would definitely have taken it at the time.”
The U.S. Golf Association is implementing measures to manage the notoriously difficult putting surfaces, which are expected to face winds exceeding 30 mph. Greens are being watered and misted during the opening rounds to prevent them from drying out and becoming excessively fast. Scheffler noted that the greens felt softer than anticipated, suggesting officials made necessary adjustments given the forecast.
