The 2026 US Open got off to a rough start due to weather issues… but the wind wasn’t to blame. Heavy fog at Shinnecock Hills halted play Thursday morning shortly after it began. But the delay did have one positive result: the revelation of former US Open champion Jim Furyk’s rules.
Furyk serves as the lead analyst for USA Open coverage this year. When the horn sounded and the stoppage began, an interesting legal question was asked on TV. Fortunately, a USGA official was on hand to lay down the rule, leaving Furyk stranded in the process.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mid-round practice rule surprises Jim Furyk at US Open
Furyk won the 2003 US Open at Olympia Fields, a career high that saw him capture a total of 17 PGA Tour victories.
There’s no doubt that Furyk, who will captain the US Ryder Cup team for the second time next year, has qualified for his new US Open TV gig with USA. But the foggy delay revealed one blind spot in his US Open experience, at least when it comes to the rules.
Shortly after the delay began Thursday morning, USGA rules chief Jay Roberts joined USA Radio to explain the situation.
Using Roberts’ appearance, USA commentator Tom Abbott asked Roberts a rules question inspired by the delay.
“Can the players practice on the green past the delay?” Abbott asked.
After a moment of silence, Roberts gave a straight answer.
“They can,” said Roberts. “The practice facilities will remain open, and players will be allowed to practice on the putting green.”
Roberts’ answer came directly from the rule book. Rule 5.2b allows them to “practice on or near the putting green of a hole just completed even if they are to play that hole again on the same day” in stroke play.
But the law completely destroyed Furyk, as he agreed in the air.
“Good call, I didn’t know!” Furyk said.
“At USGA tournaments they allow you to practice on the past green during tee time as long as you don’t hold the game,” Abbott added. “It’s something most players don’t know, Jim.”
“I don’t know at all, I don’t know at all,” Furyk replied.
“He just hit the ball!” play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon exclaimed.
But Furyk wasn’t the only radio pro 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 didn’t,” Byrum replied.
“Once they finish the hole, it’s good to go,” Roberts concluded.
Given that play was already suspended Thursday morning, US Open competitors did not have to worry about continuing to play if they wanted to practice on the previous green. Although they must know the law to benefit from it.
And there’s a very good reason why they, like Furyk and Byrum, don’t know the law: the PGA Tour.
In PGA Tour tournaments, players are prohibited from practicing on the previous green they have just completed. The Tour does so by amending Rule 5.2b with Model Local Rule I-2, which states, “a player may not make any stroke over or near the putting green of a newly played hole or check the face of that putting green by rubbing the green or rolling the ball.”
Given that PGA Tour professionals play more often on Tour than in USGA events, they are positioned to not practice on the previous hole because you will incur a penalty. And that attitude doesn’t always disappear when they get to the US Open in June, when the Model Site Rule doesn’t apply.
The best news? The same rule that struck Furyk applies to recreational golfers. So when you finish a hole and want to replay your last putt for practice, do it. It is completely within the rules. Don’t look up to the team behind you.
