ESPN Golf: Wyndham Clark Posts Historic 64 at Shinnecock to Lead U.S. Open

Wyndham Clark fired a course-record 6-under 64 at Shinnecock Hills in the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Open, the lowest score ever recorded there in a U.S. Open, taking a 2-shot lead over Dustin Johnson.

Fog Delay Creates an Unexpected Edge

A two-hour morning fog delay reshuffled the competitive landscape. While early starters battled sustained winds over 25 mph — with scoring averages well above 74 — Clark's afternoon tee time placed him in calmer late-day conditions. "The two-hour fog delay was very helpful," Clark acknowledged, noting the wind died down over his final six or seven holes.

Birdie-Birdie-Eagle Stretch Seals the Lead

Clark, a past U.S. Open champion at Los Angeles Country Club, began on the 10th hole and made two quick birdies on his way to a front-nine 32. He then chained together a Birdie-Birdie-Eagle sequence — finishing with a 2nd shot from 207 yards to 3 feet on the par-5 5th for Eagle — that proved decisive.

Johnson and Scheffler Trail

Dustin Johnson was tied with Clark through 13 holes but stumbled with a failed up-and-down on the par-5 5th and a 3-putt Double Bogey on the 6th, ending the day 2 back. Scottie Scheffler, pursuing a career Grand Slam, leaned heavily on his short game to salvage a 72, leaving him 4 shots off the lead.

Strokeslab Editorial Comment

The yawning gap between morning and afternoon scoring conditions raises genuine fairness questions — but Clark's ball-striking and birdie conversion in those final holes demonstrate elite execution regardless of wind assistance. Separating weather luck from skill will be the key Strokes Gained story as the week unfolds.