Wyndham Clark Leads By Four Shots at Suspended U.S. Open

Wyndham Clark built a four-shot lead before play was suspended at the U.S. Open. Clark's performance came as morning fog caused a two-hour delay, giving way to the afternoon's calmer conditions, which Clark felt would be advantageous for his late start at Shinnecock Hills. By the time night fell, Clark had marked a score of 6 under par through 16 holes, aided by a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch. "Everything was kind of clicking," he noted, highlighting his strong play leading into the tournament.

The USGA made modifications to the Shinnecock course, setting up slower greens and more forgiving pin placements to ensure playability amidst strong winds. When the winds eased in the evening, Clark’s performance differed significantly from what others faced earlier in the day. The record for the lowest opening round at Shinnecock Hills is 66, a mark that no player has ever gone lower than in the previous five U.S. Opens held there. Clark could potentially surpass this if he finishes his final two holes with pars when the tournament resumes.

Clark led a group of seven players, including 21-year-old Ryder Cowan, who matched Clark's solid performance early in his major championship debut, and former U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson. As play was suspended, 17 players were reportedly under par, a surprising sight given Shinnecock's notorious difficulty. Rory McIlroy praised his own performance, finishing with a score of 69 despite the windy conditions.

Cowan, who qualified through a playoff, achieved a score of 68, marking a strong showing for an amateur, while Johnson’s struggles continued as he fell behind after a double bogey on the sixth hole. Scottie Scheffler aimed for a career Grand Slam and finished the round with a score of 72, maintaining proximity to the lead.

When play resumes on Friday at 6:35 a.m., Clark will have the opportunity to complete his opening round and is excited about the prospect of a less challenging wind on the second day. "The delay was very helpful," Clark said. His performance included early birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth, showcasing his prowess under the less severe late conditions.