Wyndham Clark Leads US Open After First Round As Everything Clicks

Wyndham Clark moved clear of the US Open field after an outstanding opening round that was halted by darkness. The defending 2023 champion reached six under par through 16 holes on Thursday. That score gave Clark a four-shot cushion, putting pressure on a chasing group still on the course.

Clark’s surge began with consecutive birdies at the third and fourth holes and an eagle at the par-five fifth. If Clark returns to complete the first round with birdie-par, the card will match the course-record 63. Two closing birdies would equal the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major.

The strong start followed an early mix of good and bad moments for Clark. Birdieing the first two was really nice, Clark said. Then I had a little bit of a lull, but

made some great par saves. It was great birdieing 18. Then a little mishap, missed a shorty on one and then a bogey on two, but then got into a nice rhythm. Everything was clicking.

Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland stayed closest to Clark in the US Open chase at two under par, with three holes left in their rounds. Jon Rahm also reached two under with five to play. Matthew Fitzpatrick shared that score with two holes remaining, while several players completed 68s.

Max McGreevy, Ryder Cowan and Sam Stevens all posted two-under 68 to secure an early clubhouse target at the US Open. Their scores kept them within range of Clark should conditions change. World number one Scottie Scheffler could not match that form, closing with a two-over 72 after a difficult day.

What, you wanted carnage?? pic.twitter.com/Z9Q0skzPZGPGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 19, 2026

Rory McIlroy completed his US Open round earlier, posting a one-under 69 that left McIlroy tied for ninth. The 2011 champion handled the difficult course setup with patience. McIlroy focused on survival rather than attacking, mindful of past struggles on the same layout eight years earlier.

With the conditions today, anything under par or anything around even par is a good score, McIlroy said. It was a day to really keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it, which is exactly what I did eight years ago here [opening-round 80].

As the first round of the US Open pauses overnight, Clark holds control with a historic target within reach. The packed group at two under, plus McIlroy and others under par, keeps the tournament finely balanced. Much will depend on how leaders and challengers handle the remaining holes on Friday.