The 2026 U.S. Open got off to an unceremonious start thanks to weather issues… but the wind wasn’t to blame. Heavy fog at Shinnecock Hills suspended play early Thursday morning shortly after it had begun. But the delay did have one positive outcome: a rules revelation for former U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk.
Furyk is working as lead analyst for USA’s U.S. Open coverage this year. When the horn blew and the suspension began, an interesting rules question was broached in the TV booth. Fortunately, a USGA official was there to lay down the law, and left Furyk stumped in the process.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mid-round practice rule surprises Jim Furyk at U.S. Open
Furyk won the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, the peak of a career that saw him capture 17 total PGA Tour victories.
There’s no doubt Furyk, who will captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the second time next year, is qualified for his new U.S. Open TV gig with USA. But the fog delay revealed one blind spot in his U.S. Open knowledge, at least when it comes to the rules.
Shortly after the delay began Thursday morning, USGA rules official Jay Roberts joined the USA broadcast to explain the situation.
Taking advantage of Roberts’ appearance, USA analyst Tom Abbot asked Robert a rules question inspired by the delay.
“Can players practice on the previous green in a delay?” Abbot asked.
After a brief pause, Roberts provided the definitive answer.
“They can,” Roberts said. “Practice areas will remain open, and players would be allowed to practice on the putting green of the hole they just completed.”
Roberts response came straight from the rule book. Rule 5.2b permits “practice on or near the putting green of the hole just completed even if they will play that hole again on the same day” in stroke play.
But the rule completely stumped Furyk, as he admitted on air.
“Great call, I had no idea!” Furyk said.
“In USGA championships they allow you to practice on the previous green during play as long as you don’t hold up play,” Abbot added. “It’s something a lot players don’t know, Jim.”
“Totally unaware, totally unaware,” Furyk responded.
“You just stumped the champ!” play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon then exclaimed.
But Furyk wasn’t the only pro player on the broadcast who didn’t know the rules. It was news to former PGA Tour winner Curt Byrum, too.
“Curt [Byrum], did you know that?” Gannon asked
“I did not,” Byrum responded.
“If they’ve completed the hole, good to go,” Roberts concluded.
Given that play was already suspended on Thursday morning, U.S. Open competitors didn’t have to worry about holding up play if they wanted to practice on the previous green. Although they’d need to be aware of the rule to take advantage of it.
And there’s a very good reason why they, like Furyk and Byrum, might not know the rule: the PGA Tour.
At PGA Tour tournaments, players are prohibited from practicing on the previous green they just completed. The Tour does so by altering Rule 5.2b with Model Local Rule I-2, which states, “a player must not make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just played or test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the green or rolling a ball.”
Given that PGA Tour pros play far more often on Tour than at USGA events, they are conditioned to not practice on the previous hole because it would invite a penalty. And that mental conditioning doesn’t always disappear when they arrive at the U.S. Open in June, where the Model Local Rule is not in effect.
The best news? The same rule that stumped Furyk applies to recreational golfers. So if you finish a hole and want to re-play your last putt for practice, go for it. It’s completely within the rules. Just don’t hold up the group behind you.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: golf.com
