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2w ago

Clark Holds Four-Shot Lead as Darkness Suspends U.S. Open First Round

Winds, a morning fog delay and USGA course tweaks produced easier scoring late in the day, leaving many contenders to finish their opening rounds early Friday.

Deadspin.com
Jun 18, 2026; Southampton, New York, USA; Keith Mitchell plays a tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The first round at Shinnecock Hills was delayed by morning fog on Thursday and was suspended for darkness at 8:25 p.m., leaving leaders with holes to complete early Friday.
  • Wyndham Clark sat 6-under through 16 holes when play stopped, giving him a four-shot gap over a pack of players at 2-under.
  • Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Matt Fitzpatrick and Gary Woodland were among the group tied at 2-under with incomplete rounds, while Scottie Scheffler was 2-over and Rory McIlroy was 1-under.
  • The USGA widened fairways and slowed greens before play and used surface watering plans to keep pins reachable, a setup that plus dying afternoon winds helped late starters post lower scores.
  • Unusual individual moments included Keith Mitchell’s 41-29 nine-hole swing for an even-par 70 and several amateurs joining the leaderboard, and bookmakers moved Clark sharply up the odds as play resumes Friday.