The China Mail - Clark completes first round with two-stroke US Open lead

The 32-year-old American, who won the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, was among 50 players who did not conclude their first rounds Thursday due to a two-hour morning fog delay, but Friday skies were clear at the restart.

Clark set the lowest first-round score in a US Open at Shinnecock, breaking the old mark off 66 by Angel Cabrera, Shigeki Maruyama and Jay Haas in 2004 and Nick Price in 1995.

Clark owned a four-stroke overnight lead through 16 holes but compatriot Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner, birdied the par-three seventh and par-four ninth to trim his playing partner's edge in half.

Johnson sank a three-foot birdie putt at the seventh and a 10-footer for birdie at the ninth to complete a 66 and grab second.

Sharing third were past US Open winners Matt Fitzpatrick of England and American Gary Woodland on 67.

Fitzpatrick opened Friday with an 11-foot birdie putt at the eighth and parred the ninth while Woodland birdied the eighth from just inside 15 feet and parred the ninth.

A pack four adrift that completed two-under 68s on Thursday included amateur Ryder Cowan and fellow Americans Max McGreevy and Sam Stevens.

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm of Spain was two-under with three holes remaining.

Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy was in a pack on 69 that included American Brian Harman and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg among others.

- 'Clicking' -

Clark's round was one off the lowest round shot in a US Open at Shinnecock, the 63 by England's Tommy Fleetwood in 2018.

He was set to begin his second round off the first tee at 7:56 a.m. (1156 GMT) alongside Woodland and Johnson.

Clark, a back-nine starter, shared the lead with Johnson on Thursday but birdied the third and fourth holes, the latter from 22 feet, and dropped his second shot three feet from the hole at the par-five fifth then sank his eagle putt to seize command.

He parred the sixth after chipping 61 feet to within inches of the hole and parred the seventh just before play was suspended.

"Got into a nice rhythm," Clark said. "Everything was kind of clicking."

Clark said the US Open brings a chance at redemption after he smashed a locker in the clubhouse at Oakmont last year after missing the US Open cut.

He was banned from Oakmont until undergoing anger management therapy or counseling and paying for repairs.

"That was a really challenging time and something I've deeply regretted and feel awful that I did that," Clark said Monday.

"But there were so many good lessons in that that really taught me a bunch. I've really come a long way and I'm excited for this year's Open for some redemption and to move forward."

G.Fung--ThChM