Fog steals the spotlight on opening day of U. S. Open

Heavy fog rolled over Shinnecock Hills early Thursday, bringing this year’s U. S. Open to an abrupt halt before most fans even reached their seats. A slow creep of visibility meant players could barely see past their clubs, yet organisers waited only twenty minutes after the 7:05 a. m. start time before waving off the round. Organisers had already moved several tee slots forward by an hour, trying to edge the day forward, but the weather settled the question faster than any official could.Crowds that braved the dark bundled in hoodies and rain jackets found themselves stuck in a miles-long queue leading to a handful of gates still open. Ticket holders who made it inside wandered aimlessly past bunkers and flagsticks, while a few early starters stood frozen on the first two holes, their balls lost somewhere on the course. The putting greens became the day’s real action zone, with players whiling away the morning rolling practice putts instead of hunting birdies. Among those lined up for a dream run was Scottie Scheffler. Fresh off a major win, the Texan now aims to join an exclusive club no American man has entered in twenty years. Yet a blinding wall of white fog turned his history-making quest into a waiting game, leaving everyone wondering whether the fog or the eventual champion would clear the path first.