Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt

• The 2023 champion on six-under after 16 holes when play suspended

• Clubhouse leader Sam Stevens part of group of five on two-under

For much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.

Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two-under that included the clubhouse leader Sam Stevens. Four other players were also at two-under with holes remaining, while nine more – including Masters champion Rory McIlroy – sat at one-under.