U.S. Open Thursday recap: Rahm, Johnson, DeChambeau start fast on Day 1

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau came to Shinnecock Hills with points to prove, and through the majority of the first round of the 126th U.S. Open, all three are doing exactly that.

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Play was halted at 7:05 a.m. local time when fog swallowed the course, with a two-hour suspension before resuming at 9:05 a.m. Officials had already slowed green speeds and modified hole locations ahead of expected wind gusts approaching 40 mph, and the delay pushed the schedule back with the first round spilling into Friday morning.

When the fog lifted and the scores were tallied, Johnson and Rahm sat tied for second at 2 under, four shots behind overnight leader Wyndham Clark. Johnson was through 15 holes and Rahm was through 13 holes when Thursday wrapped up.

DeChambeau was at 1 under through 16 holes and tied for ninth. With a few holes remaining in Round 1 and three more full rounds ahead, all three are in position to contend in the early going.

It has been a while since Johnson's name appeared near the top of a major championship leaderboard. The 4Aces GC captain has missed the cut in each of his last two U.S. Open appearances. But Shinnecock Hills is a familiar venue for the two-time major winner. In 2018, the last time the U.S. Open came to Shinnecock, Johnson shot 69-67 to build a commanding lead through 36 holes before a third-round 77 unraveled the week, leaving him with a solo third and a what-might-have-been moment.

Thursday felt, at times, like a reclamation project for Johnson. He surged as high as 4 under during his round before a double bogey dropped him back to 2 under through 15 holes.

Rahm, who finished T2 at the PGA Championship at Aronimink just a month ago, has carried that momentum east. The Legion XIII captain was at his best on Thursday, burying a 61-foot putt on the par-4 17th to get to 2 under through 13 holes. Eight years ago at this same venue, Rahm missed the cut after rounds of 78-77. The version of the Spaniard that arrived in Southampton this week, with irons that have been among the sharpest in the field all season, is a considerably different proposition.

Then there is DeChambeau, whose round reminded golf fans that he's been one of the best major championship performers in the world since the start of 2024. The Crushers GC captain missed the cut this year at the Masters and the PGA Championship but is off to a strong start this week.

Playing in the wind has not been identified as a strength of his game in recent years. He made birdie on the par-4 12th courtesy of a 427-yard drive that set up a flip wedge, then added another from distance on the 13th to briefly join the lead at 2 under before falling to 1 under through 16 holes. At a U.S. Open, 1 under through 16 holes at Shinnecock Hills is a prime position.

Just three players have ever managed to finish under par over 72 holes in the championship's modern history at Shinnecock Hills: Raymond Floyd, Retief Goosen and HyFlyers GC Captain Phil Mickelson.

Johnson, Rahm and DeChambeau are all within range. Shinnecock Hills, as always, will have the final word.

OTHER LIV GOLF SCORES (RD. 1)

Joaquin Niemann: E through 14 holes (T18)
Carlos Ortiz: +2 through 14 holes (T49)
Laurie Canter: +2 (T49)
Peter Uihlein: +4 (T92)
Lucas Herbert: +4 (T92)
Tyrrell Hatton: +4 (T92)
Cameron Smith: +5 (T113)
Caleb Surratt: +5 (T113)
Graeme McDowell: +6 (T124)
David Puig: +7 (T133)