Clark leads by 4 as darkness suspends play

McIlroy 1 adrift after US Open first round

- 

Wyndham Clark made an eagle and two birdies in three holes to seize a four-stroke lead when darkness halted Thursday's first round of the 126th US Open at blustery Shinnecock.

The 32-year-old American started on the back nine and answered a bogey at the par-three second hole with back-to-back birdies at three and four, the latter from 22 feet, and sank a three-foot eagle putt at the par-five fifth to reach six-under par.

Clark, the 2023 US Open champion who says he’s seeking redemption after smashing a locker at Oakmont after missing the cut at last year’s championship, parred sixth after a 61-foot chip to within inches of the hole then parred the seventh before play was halted.