Keith Mitchell has the worst round in US Open history as Wyndham Clark jumps out to an early lead.
America 250: Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and became one of the greatest novice golfers in history. As a teenager, he reached the third round of the US Amateur at age 14, showing early promise. He went on to win 13 major championships, all as a rookie, a record that still stands. In 1930, Jones won the
The first round of the 126th US Open kicked off Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, with plenty of big news making the pre-tournament headlines.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s win will secure a career Grand Slam, literally on his 30th birthday. Rory McIlroy, after securing himself a Grand Slam in 2025, has another Masters win under his belt in 2026. A second major win this year would give him seven in his career and put him in even more impressive historical company. Only Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen and Harry Vardon have won seven majors. And he would rank him just behind Tom Watson, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus all time.
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Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his sixth tee during practice prior to the 126th US OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 16, 2026 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) ((Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images))
The field has one of the best freshmen groups in recent history, with NCAA Men’s Division I champion Preston Stout, 17-year-old Miles Russell, and Auburn star Jackson Koivun.
The Shinnecock is also widely regarded as one of the toughest tests in golf, and the forecast of high winds led the USGA to issue a statement about its intention to “inject” the greens with water to ensure the course does not drift away from them.
And yet, with all that narrative and top players to keep track of, the golfer who had arguably the worst day was … Keith Mitchell?
Mitchell began his day on the tenth hole, and soon made double bogey after pulling his drive into the rough. He then made a bogey on the 11th hole. And at 13. And 14. And then 16 again, for good measure. All told for his first nine holes, the back nine at Shinnecock, he was six over par at 41. Sounds like a recipe for missed cuts, right?
Except after the turn on the back nine, Mitchell turned into Tiger Woods. He drilled the first hole, then the third. And the fourth. On the fifth day, Mitchell made one of two eagles for the day. He then finished on the front nine and birdied the 479-yard par four. Six shots for par on the back nine, then six under par on the front nine.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER DISCUSSES ONE TRUTH AND A LIE BEFORE HE OPENS HISTORY IN SHINNECOCK HILLS
That’s a 41-29 card for 70 even. One of the most dangerous rounds in US Open history.
Amazingly, of all the many thousands of rounds played at the US Open, it was only the seventh time in tournament history that someone carded 29 over nine holes. According to Justin Ray of The Athletic, it was the first time a player had a round in the 40s and 20s at the US Open.
Keith Mitchell plays a tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the US Open golf tournament in Southampton, NY, on June 18, 2026. (Photos by Bill Streicher/Imagn)
And you can see the charge that took Mitchell by the way his hair looked after removing the trademark visor.
As for other big names, Scheffler had a roller coaster ride. Four bogeys and a double bogey, to go with four birdies in two over 72. McIlroy carded 18 to finish at one under, even in the hunt, given the difficult scoring conditions.
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Wyndham Clark of the United States approaches the 18th green during the first round of the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, NY, on June 18, 2026. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
“I think with the conditions today, anything under par or something at par is a good point,” he said after the round. “It was a day to keep yourself in the competition and not take yourself out of it.”
But former US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who missed the cut in the PGA Championship, which he won a week later, surprisingly stormed out to a four-shot lead through six holes at 16 under. A remarkable achievement, considering the difficulty of the course.
If there’s one thing we know from golf’s major tournaments, though, it’s that things can change quickly. And as Keith Mitchell on Thursday pointed out, expect the unexpected.
