The 2023 champion was at six under par after 16 holes when play was suspended, while clubhouse leader Sam Stevens among five at two under

The USGA set up a different course at Shinnecock Hills to handle strong wind Thursday. When the wind subsided later, Wyndham Clark seemed to play a different U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy was in a larger group on one under but would have been higher had he not bogeyed his final two holes.