Wyndham Clark leads by four after a windy, disrupted opening day at Shinnecock Hills

Wyndham Clark surged into a commanding four-shot lead on a difficult opening day at the US Open as fierce winds and poor visibility created a brutal test at Shinnecock Hills.

The 2023 champion made the most of calmer afternoon conditions after the morning wave had battled through heavy gusts and an early fog delay.

Play was suspended because of darkness at 8.25 pm local time, with Clark still having two holes of his first round left to complete.

At the time of the suspension, the American was six under par and four shots clear of the field.

Clark reached the turn in 32 before suffering a setback with a bogey at the par-three second. He responded immediately, making back-to-back birdies on his next two holes before producing a superb approach into the par-five fifth to set up a close-range eagle.

That run lifted him to the top of the leaderboard and put him within reach of major history when play resumes on Friday morning.

Clark needs one birdie from his final two holes to post an opening-round 63 and equal the course record. If he finishes birdie-birdie, he would match the lowest round ever recorded in men’s major championship history.

Speaking after his round was halted, Clark said birdieing his first two holes had helped him settle quickly. He admitted there had been a brief lull in his round, but said strong par saves and a late rhythm had allowed him to keep moving forward.

Behind him, Sam Stevens set the early clubhouse target with a two-under 68 after emerging as the best of the morning starters.

Max McGreevy and amateur Ryder Cowan later matched that score, while four former US Open champions were also sitting on two under with holes still to complete.

Rory McIlroy made a steady start to his campaign with a one-under 69, leaving him within sight of the early leaders but already facing a sizeable gap to Clark.

Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, carded a 72 as he continued his pursuit of the career Grand Slam.

The conditions made scoring extremely difficult for much of the field. Only six players from the morning wave managed to break par as strong winds punished mistakes and made Shinnecock Hills a severe examination.

Fog had earlier forced a two-hour suspension, disrupting rhythm and adding another challenge to an already demanding opening round.

Clark, however, took full advantage when the weather eased later in the day.

His fast start, strong recovery after a bogey and eagle finish before darkness placed him firmly in control of the tournament’s early narrative.

The first round will resume at 6.35 am local time on Friday, with Clark returning to complete his final two holes and potentially chase a landmark score.

For McIlroy, Scheffler and the rest of the chasing pack, the task is already clear.

They must find a way to close the gap on a former champion who looked sharp, composed and ready to turn a strong opening day into something historic.