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SOUTHAMPTON, New York, June 18, 2026 — Former champion Wyndham Clark seized early control of the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club with a standout opening round in difficult conditions. The 2023 U.S. Open winner moved to 6-under par through 16 holes, opening a four-shot cushion over the rest of the field before officials suspended play because of heavy darkness at 8:25 p.m. local time. Clark, starting on the back nine, capitalized on the calmer late-afternoon “golden hour” after a turbulent day of weather and delays at the historic Long Island venue, which is hosting the national championship for the sixth time. The opening round began under a thick blanket of fog that rolled over Shinnecock Hills early in the morning, forcing a two-hour delay and pushing the first tee times to 9:05 a.m. Once play started, competitors faced sustained winds approaching 25 mph and stronger gusts that shifted direction midway through the afternoon, contributing to a congested early leaderboard. To keep the course playable in the high winds, the United States Golf Association slowed the greens to 10.5 on the Stimpmeter and maintained extra moisture on the putting surfaces. The 2026 championship features a record $22.5 million prize purse, with $4.5 million earmarked for the eventual winner.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.