Wyndham Clark Leads U.S. Open After First Round as Field Faces Cut Line

Wyndham Clark posted a six-under-par 64 on Thursday, giving him a four-stroke advantage as the field begins the second round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Tied for second place, Max McGreevy birdied two of his last three holes after an early bogey and now sits three shots behind the leader. Amateur Ryder Cowan, a former Oklahoma All-American, recorded a birdie on the fifth hole to sit at three under par, also four strokes off the lead.

The projected cut line, according to datagolf.com, is expected to fall between +3 and +5, most likely at +4, meaning the top 60 players and ties will advance to the weekend. Players currently at risk of missing the cut include Bryson DeChambeau, Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry, Patrick Cantlay, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Chris Gotterup, Joaquin Niemann and J.J. Spaun.

DeChambeau incurred a two-stroke penalty after throwing his club at the sixth hole during the first round and recorded a double bogey on the third, leaving him at +2. Jason Day withdrew after ten holes due to a back injury, having been seven over par at the time.

Notable tee times for Friday include Aaron Rai, Collin Morikawa and Jason Day at 7:34 a.m.; Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick at 7:45 a.m.; and a 10th-tee start featuring Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele at 8:07 a.m. Other groups feature Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and several amateurs.

The leaderboard after the first round shows Clark at –6, with Sam Stevens, Ryder Cowan, Max McGreevy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland, and Jon Rahm tied at –2. A cluster of players, including Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg and Bryson DeChambeau, sit at –1.

Wind conditions remain a factor, but the greens appear manageable, offering players opportunities to improve their scores as the tournament progresses.