Dustin Johnson moved into a five-way share of the lead after back-to-back birdies to start the front nine at Shinnecock Hills.
He had played the back nine first and stood on a level-par 35 through nine holes.
Weather disruptions and a possible draw bias left the leaderboard volatile as the opening round played on.
Dustin Johnson's Opening Round Start
Johnson was listed at 2 under par after those front-nine birdies, the birdies producing his climb into a five-way share of the lead. He recorded a level-par 35 on the back nine before opening the front nine with back-to-back birdies that lifted him into contention.
Wyndham Clark Moves To Lead
Wyndham Clark took sole possession of the lead at 3 under when he drained a 21-foot birdie putt at the 18th, leaving him one stroke clear of the group that included Johnson. That 21-foot putt separated the solo leader from the five leaders clustering at the top of the board on a day of shifting conditions.
Jason Day Withdraws At Shinnecock Hills
Jason Day withdrew after feeling his back go on a practice swing on the 1st tee and left in a buggy. His exit removed an experienced name from the field and underscored the physical toll players were managing during a disrupted opening day.
Rory McIlroy's comments about Shinnecock Hills in 2018 framed how this course can force a reset: "I needed to change my mindset," he said, and later added that keeping a journal helped refocus his approach. That history sits behind the current leaderboard volatility and helps explain why an early 2-under showing by Johnson reads as notable rather than routine.
Johnson's position matters because the source says he is defying his recent major championship record; a 2-under opening round and a share of the lead on a day affected by weather and draw quirks run counter to that pattern. With the round still in progress and daylight remaining, players who tee late can still alter the leaderboard, which is why Johnson's tie at the top is an important snapshot, not a finished story.
Can Dustin Johnson maintain his opening-round position for the rest of the tournament?
