Thousands of golf fans, course workers, and tournament staff faced an unexpected disruption Thursday morning when fog forced officials to suspend play at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, just 30 minutes into the first round. The delay affected not only the 14 players who had managed to post scores before the horn sounded, but also the hundreds of workers and spectators who had arrived early for the prestigious tournament's opening.
Play was stopped because of low visibility, with players kept on the course for 15 minutes before being brought back in when conditions did not improve. The first round resumed after a two-hour delay, but officials acknowledged that the round would not be complete until the next morning—extending the workday for tournament staff and creating scheduling challenges for fans who had purchased single-day tickets.
Visibility Concerns for Players and Staff
James Nicholas, who was scheduled to hit the opening tee shot, walked over to the starter to ask if they were still on time. "I just wanted to make sure," Nicholas said. "I can't see the fairway." While the fairways are wide enough—an average width of 48 yards this year—that no one had trouble finding their golf balls, the par-3 11th green and some landing areas were hard to see, leaving officials with no choice but to halt play for safety reasons.
The conditions affected even the world's top players. Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player who is trying to complete the career Grand Slam with a U.S. Open title, and Rory McIlroy were among those on the range ahead of their morning tee times when the delay was announced. Of the 14 players who managed to post scores before the suspension, none recorded a birdie, underscoring the challenging conditions.
Weather Preparation Falls Short
The USGA had prepared the course in anticipation of strong wind, with gusts potentially approaching 40 mph. However, the wind Thursday morning was not strong enough to move the fog that blanketed the course, revealing a gap between tournament organizers' weather planning and the actual conditions that emerged. The delay marked the first time the opening round of the U.S. Open was delayed by fog since 2021 at Torrey Pines in San Diego, which is known for its "June Gloom." That delay lasted 90 minutes and the first round was not complete until the next morning.
Chase Kyes lined up a putt on the first hole during the first round, Matthew Jordan was off the green after play was suspended, a sign on the third hole showed play was suspended, and Jackson Suber hit from the fairway on the first hole before conditions deteriorated further.
Why This Matters:
Weather delays at major sporting events affect far more than the athletes competing—they impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hospitality workers, groundskeepers, security personnel, and vendors whose schedules and earnings depend on predictable tournament operations. For fans who invested in travel and accommodations to attend opening day, the disruption represents not just inconvenience but real financial costs, particularly for working families who may have taken time off work. The incident also highlights the need for tournament organizers to develop more comprehensive contingency planning that accounts for the full range of weather scenarios, ensuring that when delays occur, clear communication and support systems are in place for all stakeholders—not just the players. As climate patterns become less predictable, sporting institutions must prioritize the interests of workers and fans alongside competitive concerns.