SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — The opening round of the U.S. Open got off to an unexpected start Thursday at Shinnecock Hills, when dense fog forced officials to halt play just 30 minutes after competition began.
Only 14 golfers managed to finish any holes before the horn sounded, signaling a stoppage due to low visibility. Not a single birdie was recorded among those early scores. Players were held on the course for 15 minutes while officials waited to see if conditions would improve — but when they didn’t, everyone was called back inside.
The fog was apparent from the very beginning. James Nicholas, who was scheduled to hit the tournament’s first tee shot, walked over to the starter with a concern before play even kicked off.
“I just wanted to make sure,” Nicholas said. “I can’t see the fairway.”
While the fairways at Shinnecock Hills are notably wide — averaging 48 yards across this year — the problem came when the par-3 11th green and several landing areas became nearly impossible to see. At that point, officials had little choice but to stop play.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is chasing a career Grand Slam with a U.S. Open victory, and Rory McIlroy were both on the practice range warming up ahead of their scheduled morning tee times when the delay was announced.
The last time fog pushed back the U.S. Open’s first round was in 2021, when play at Torrey Pines in San Diego — a course well known for its “June Gloom” weather pattern — was delayed for 90 minutes.
The USGA had prepared the course with strong wind in mind, with gusts potentially nearing 40 mph expected. Ironically, Thursday morning’s winds weren’t powerful enough to clear out the fog that caused all the trouble.
