Keith Mitchell has one of the wildest rounds in US Open history as Wyndham Clark jumps out to early lead

Clark seized on a more gentle course — slightly calmer and still soft with receptive greens — by pulling away late to reach 6 under par through 16 holes, leaving him in darkness with a four-shot lead over seven players when play was suspended for the night.

Rory McIlroy’s mental fortitude and physical shot-making combined to enable a stout opening round of one-under-par 69 for the Northern Irishman in this 126th edition of the US Open on the northern shore of Long Island in New York, a decent day’s work in conditions which played with the minds of many others, among them defending champion JJ Spaun.

Morning fog led to a two-hour delay, and Clark had a feeling his late afternoon start would be an advantage as the wind began to subside with the setting sun.

And when the wind subsided late Thursday afternoon, Wyndham Clark looked like he was playing a different U.S. Open.