The opening round of the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club delivered one of the most remarkable nine-hole turnarounds in tournament history Thursday, as Keith Mitchell recovered from a disastrous 41 on the back nine to shoot 29 on the front nine for an even-par 70. Meanwhile, defending champion Wyndham Clark surged to a commanding four-shot lead with a six-under performance through 16 holes, defying the brutal conditions that limited scoring across the field on Long Island.
Mitchell’s roller-coaster round represents just the seventh time in US Open history that a golfer has carded a 29 over nine holes. More remarkably, it marks the first instance ever of a player recording both a round in the 40s and 20s during a single US Open round, creating a stark contrast that underscores both the course’s difficulty and Mitchell’s resilience.
Mitchell’s historic comeback after catastrophic start
Starting his round on the 10th hole, Mitchell immediately found trouble by pulling his drive into the rough and recording a double bogey. The struggles continued relentlessly as he added bogeys on holes 11, 13, 14, and 16. Through his first nine holes, Mitchell stood at six-over-par with a 41, appearing destined for an early exit after Friday’s second round. The performance seemed to confirm the fears many had about Shinnecock’s reputation as one of golf’s most punishing tests.
After making the turn to the front nine, Mitchell transformed into an entirely different player. He birdied the first hole, then added birdies on the third and fourth. On the par-five fifth hole, Mitchell delivered one of only two eagles recorded during Thursday’s opening round. He capped his stunning surge with another birdie on the 479-yard par-four ninth, completing a six-under front nine that erased his earlier deficit entirely.
The visual toll of Mitchell’s emotional round was evident when he removed his trademark visor after completing play, revealing disheveled hair that reflected the intensity of his experience. His even-par 70 keeps him well within striking distance heading into Friday’s second round, a scenario that seemed impossible just hours earlier.
Clark establishes commanding position with flawless execution
While Mitchell captured attention with his dramatic swings, Wyndham Clark quietly built a substantial lead that could prove decisive. The 2023 US Open champion, who missed the cut at the recent PGA Championship only to win a tournament the following week, displayed the form that made him a major champion. Through 16 holes, Clark posted a six-under score that stands four shots clear of the field, a remarkable achievement given the conditions players faced Thursday.
Clark’s performance demonstrates exceptional course management and mental fortitude on a layout designed to punish mistakes. Shinnecock Hills, with its firm greens and challenging wind patterns, demanded precision that few players could muster. The USGA had issued a statement before the tournament about their intention to syringe the greens with water to prevent conditions from becoming unplayable due to forecasted high winds, but the course still proved formidable.
Top contenders face mixed results in difficult conditions
World number one Scottie Scheffler, playing on his 30th birthday and seeking the career Grand Slam with a victory, endured an uncharacteristically inconsistent round. Scheffler posted four bogeys and one double bogey, balanced against four birdies, for a two-over 72 that leaves him chasing the leaders. The performance was atypical for a player who has dominated much of the season, suggesting the course’s difficulty affected even the world’s best.
Rory McIlroy, who completed his own Grand Slam in 2025 and already owns another Masters title this year, finished at one-under after bogeying the 18th hole. A second major championship victory this year would give McIlroy seven career majors, placing him alongside an exclusive group of legends. Only Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, and Harry Vardon have won exactly seven majors, while only Tom Watson, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Tiger Woods, and Jack Nicklaus have more.
After his round, McIlroy emphasized the importance of survival on Thursday. He noted that with the difficult conditions, anything under par or around even par represented a strong score. The goal was to remain in contention rather than shoot oneself out of the tournament with a disastrous opening round.
Amateur field adds intrigue to championship battle
This year’s US Open features one of the strongest amateur contingents in recent memory, adding another compelling storyline to the week. The field includes NCAA Men’s Division I Champion Preston Stout, 17-year-old phenom Miles Russell, and Auburn star Jackson Koivun. Their presence highlights the depth of talent in amateur golf and provides opportunities for breakout performances on the sport’s biggest stages.
- Keith Mitchell became the first player in US Open history to record rounds in both the 40s and 20s during a single round
- Only six previous players had carded a 29 over nine holes in US Open history before Mitchell’s Thursday performance
- Wyndham Clark’s four-shot lead represents the largest first-round advantage at this year’s championship
- Scottie Scheffler seeks to become the sixth active player to complete the career Grand Slam
Course conditions and championship outlook remain unpredictable
Shinnecock Hills proved worthy of its reputation as one of championship golf’s most demanding venues. The combination of wind, firm greens, and strategic hole locations created scoring challenges that frustrated even the world’s elite players. The USGA’s decision to add moisture to the greens helped maintain playability while preserving the course’s defensive integrity.
As Mitchell’s round demonstrated, fortunes can change dramatically over just nine holes at a US Open. The volatility inherent in major championship golf means that Clark’s four-shot advantage, while substantial, remains far from insurmountable with three rounds remaining. Players who struggled Thursday can recover quickly with a strong Friday performance, while those who posted solid scores must maintain consistency to remain in contention.
The opening round established clear narratives heading into Friday’s second round: Mitchell’s resilience, Clark’s dominance, and the challenges facing favorites like Scheffler and McIlroy. With weather conditions expected to remain demanding and Shinnecock’s defenses fully engaged, the championship appears poised to deliver the drama and unpredictability that define US Open golf. Mitchell’s historic round serves as a reminder that in major championships, no situation is hopeless and no lead is entirely safe until the final putt drops Sunday afternoon.
