Shinnecock Hills presented a challenging start to the 2026 U.S. Open as heavy fog caused delays and tested the field on Thursday. The tournament’s opening round saw only six players manage to post scores under par during the morning session, underscoring the course's difficult conditions.

Among the early leaders was Ryder Cup winner Ludvig Aberg, who was part of the select group navigating the course successfully. Former Masters champion Patrick Reed also posted a strong start, sharing the lead with Aberg after the morning nine holes.

Rory McIlroy, who began his round on the back nine, briefly held the outright lead after birdieing two of the first three holes. However, bogeys at the 13th and 16th holes saw him slip back, leaving him just one shot behind the leaders midway through his round. Tommy Fleetwood, playing alongside McIlroy and Aberg, was also close, trailing by a single stroke after completing nine holes.

The fog caused intermittent delays, further complicating an already demanding course setup at Shinnecock Hills, a site known for its tough conditions and deep rough. Players on the course had to contend not only with visibility issues but also with the course’s challenging design, which has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable tests in major championship golf.

As play continues, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, with the early scoring reflecting both the difficulty of the course and the impact of weather delays. The tournament is set to resume with more favorable conditions expected, allowing players a fuller opportunity to negotiate Shinnecock Hills’ layout over the remaining rounds.