SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – The first round of the 126th U.S. Open resumed at 9:05 a.m. ET Thursday after a two-hour delay because of heavy fog (updated tee times).
The USGA expected heavy wind and possible storms in the opening round but it was fog that disrupted to the start to the national championship.
The horn blew at 7:05 a.m., with players initially being held in place for 15 minutes in hopes that visibility would improve. When the fog didn’t clear, players were brought back into the clubhouse to wait out the delay.
Only 14 of the 156 players have completed a hole so far.
Even before the stoppage, it figured to be a long and chaotic day at Shinnecock, with officials bracing for possible storms and wind gusts approaching 40 mph.
The setup staff, concerned about the course becoming unplayable, had already slowed down the green speeds and modified hole locations.
Brooks Koepka (now 9:30 a.m.), Rory McIlroy (9:52) and Scottie Scheffler (10:14) were among the players who were on the range preparing for their rounds when play was halted for the non-dangerous weather situation. The practice facility remained open during the suspension.
As players returned to the course to resume their opening rounds, the wind had already begun to freshen.
