Shinnecock Hills lived up to its fearsome reputation on the first day of a fog-delayed US Open with only six players managing to stay under par in the morning.
Although the worst of the wind, forecast to gust up to 36mph, had yet to arrive the Long Island course was already providing enough of a challenge for the world’s top golfers.
Ryder Cup winner Ludvig Aberg was part of that leading group, which also included former Masters champion Patrick Reed, with Aberg’s playing partners Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood a shot behind after nine holes.
McIlroy had briefly held the outright lead after just three holes of his round which began on the back nine after holing a 10-footer at the short but perilous 11th and then following that up from more than double that distance at the par-five next.
However, he bogeyed the 13th after missing the green and dropped another shot after having to hack out of the rough at the 620-yard 16th and not being able to reach the green in three.
The pace was slow, with the strong breeze causing players to take their time over shots which often meant those behind faced long waits to play.
Earlier play was suspended for two hours after just 30 minutes’ play as the fog worsened to such an extent players on the 12th tee in particular could not see the landing area on the fairway.
Players were recalled having initially been held for 30 minutes out on the course and play finally resumed at 9.05am local time (2.05pm BST), meaning some players faced having to complete their rounds on Friday morning.
By then wind speeds had already picked up with worse to follow for the afternoon starters, which included newly-crowned US PGA champion Aaron Rai and English compatriot Justin Rose, two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau and 2021 winner Jon Rahm.
