Wyndham Clark storms four clear at US Open as McIlroy battles and Scheffler trails

Difficult conditions at Shinnecock Hills meant just six players from the morning field finished under par, with fog causing a two-hour delay early in the day. However, calmer weather later in the afternoon allowed Clark to take full advantage and climb clear of the chasing pack.

The 2023 US Open winner raced out of the blocks, reaching the turn in four-under 32. After dropping a shot at the par-three second, he responded immediately with consecutive birdies before producing a superb approach at the par-five fifth that led to an eagle.

Play was halted because of fading light at 8.25pm local time, with Clark sitting on six under and still having two holes left to complete. When action resumes on Friday at 6.35am local time (12.35pm South African time) on Friday, the American will have a chance to rewrite the record books.

A birdie on either of his two closing holes would earn Clark an opening-round 63 and tie the course record, while birdies on both holes would see him equal the lowest score ever recorded in a men's major championship round.

"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."

Sam Stevens set the early benchmark after carding a two-under-par 68 in the morning session, although fellow Americans Max McGreevy and amateur Ryder Cowan later joined him on that mark.

Four previous US Open champions were also positioned at two under, although none had completed their opening rounds before play was suspended. Among that group, Matt Fitzpatrick had two holes remaining, while Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland were each three holes from the clubhouse. Two-time major champion Jon Rahm was also tied for second place and still had five holes left to play.

McIlroy briefly moved into sole possession of the lead during his round, with an eagle at the fifth taking him to three under and two shots clear of the field. However, the Masters winner was unable to maintain that momentum, closing with consecutive bogeys to settle for an opening 69.

"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].

"Went out with the mindset that pars were going to be good and if you could pick up a couple of birdies here and there, that's always a bonus. Really just minimising the mistakes and I did that for the most part today."

World No 1 Scheffler, chasing a victory to complete the career Grand Slam of major wins, was eight strokes off Clark's runaway lead after opening with a two-over 72.

Scheffler was joined on two over by Players champion Cameron Young, while Brooks Koepka posted a three-over 73 and defending champion JJ Spaun struggled to an opening 77.

"It was a really challenging day," Scheffler said. "If you told me when I was staring at my par putt on the ninth that I would post two over today, I would definitely have taken it at the time. Overall, it was a good battle."