Strong Start for Clark at the U.S. Open Despite Challenging Conditions
Following a tumultuous opening day at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy shined with an impressive performance, Scottie Scheffler remained a contender for the Grand Slam, and Windham Clark surged ahead with a four-stroke lead. The morning’s windy conditions at Shinnecock Hills severely hampered play, with fog leading to a two-hour delay. However, Clark capitalized on the calmer afternoon weather, positioning himself at the top of the leaderboard.
The 2023 champion emerged from the first half of the round with a remarkable score of 32. After overcoming an early bogey on the par-3 second hole, he quickly regained momentum, achieving back-to-back birdies followed by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole through an impressive approach.
When play was suspended due to darkness at 8:25 PM local time, Clark was six under with two holes left to play. With the resumption scheduled for 6:35 AM, there is a possibility he could match the course record of 63 for an opening round. A birdie on either of the remaining holes would secure that honor, although a double birdie finish could intriguingly place him in historical company for the worst round in men’s major championship history.
Reflecting on his round, Clark remarked on the significance of birdying the first two holes and how maintaining his rhythm proved essential. Despite encountering challenges, he managed to close strongly with a birdie on the 18th hole, highlighting his resilience throughout the round.
Sam Stephens set an early clubhouse target at 2-under 68, only to be matched later in the day by fellow American Max McGreevy and amateur Ryder Cowan, while four former U.S. Open champions also stood at 2-under with holes remaining. Several notable players remained on the course, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Dustin Johnson both having two holes to play, while Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion, was tied for second place with five holes left in his round.
McIlroy Shines Amidst Scheffler’s Struggles
McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, initially held a two-stroke lead following a stunning eagle on the fifth hole. However, the world No. 2 finished his opening round with a score of 69 after enduring a bogey-bogey finish. “In these conditions, a score around par is commendable,” he reflected, underscoring the importance of patience and strategy reminiscent of his experiences eight years prior at this very venue.
Trying to focus on minimizing mistakes, McIlroy aimed for birdies when possible. Completing the round alongside Ludwig Oberg—who also finished at 1 under—McIlroy’s effort placed him just a stroke behind the morning leaders, showcasing his competitive edge.
Meanwhile, Scheffler opened with a 2-over 72, positioning himself four strokes off the leader. He was followed closely by Players Champion Cameron Young at 2-over, with Brooks Koepka, the champion from the last U.S. Open held at Shinnecock Hills in 2017, registering a 3-over 73. Defending champion J.J. Spaun faced a tough day on the course, finishing with a score of 77.
As the day concluded, Scheffler acknowledged the challenging conditions but remained optimistic about his performance. “If I had known I’d finish 2 over on the ninth hole, I would have gladly accepted that outcome at the start of the day,” he mused, expressing determination and resilience.
Despite the delays for the athletes entering the afternoon waves, all competitors showed readiness as they took to the course, albeit with slightly adjusted tee times. As anticipation builds for the U.S. Open, viewers can catch live coverage throughout the week on Sky Sports.
