Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun part of 4-way tie for Memorial lead

Former U.S. Open winners Wyndham Clark and J.J. Spaun share the first-round lead of the Memorial Tournament with Ryan Gerard and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood after they each shot 5-under-par 67 on Thursday in Dublin, Ohio.

Two weeks out from the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Clark and Spaun showed where their games stood as they prepare to contend for a second major title. Clark won the U.S. Open in 2023 and Spaun is the reigning champion.

Clark putted from off the green to convert a 45 1/2-foot eagle at the par-5 15th hole Thursday. That got him to 6 under par, but he bogeyed the penultimate hole at Muirfield Village Golf Club to drop back.

Clark only qualified for the signature event after he won the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas, which earned him enough points via the “Aon Swing 5” pathway.

Spaun birdied his final hole to get to 5 under, while Fleetwood posted the only bogey-free card among the leaders.

Gerard had a much wilder afternoon and finished with only five pars on his card. He went out in even-par 36 with two bogeys, two bounce-back birdies, then an eagle and a double bogey at Nos. 7 and 8. But he caught fire on the back nine with six birdies, including five straight at Nos. 12-16, before a bogey at No. 17 knocked him back to 5 under.

Canada’s Nick Taylor is alone in fifth at 4-under 68, and Sam Burns and England’s Justin Rose are tied at 3-under 69.

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler had a number of mistakes on the back nine, including a tee shot into the water at the par-3 16th that led to a double bogey. The World No. 1 settled for a 1-over 73 and isn’t a lock to make Friday’s 36-hole cut (top 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 shots of the lead).

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, seeking his first victory at Jack Nicklaus’ tournament, opened with a 1-under 71.

–Field Level Media