Bethesda, Md. - At 4:04 p.m. EDT on Friday play was halted for lightning in the area. When play is suspended for a dangerous situation such as lightning, the roving officials on the course blow one long blast on their air horns. The U.S. Open Rules Committee has provided, in the Conditions of the Competition, that when a suspension due to dangerous conditions is signaled, play must stop immediately. If a player were to hit another shot, even a 1-foot putt on their last hole after the suspension they would be disqualified. Safety is the primary focus of this Rule.

All players and caddies were directed, by their referees, to go to the clubhouse (if they were near) or one of five evacuation locations where vans have been positioned. Every location on the course has a specific place to go and every official has a copy of the evacuation plan with him. Volunteers are located at each of these areas and can drive the vans in if that decision is made.

When play was suspended, players could mark the location of their ball before coming in. That is preferred if there is time, but if the group had just teed off; there might not be time to do so.

Players were taken to vans and held there as this was a very fast moving storm. Referees were directed to get their players back into position for a restart at 4:35. At 4:41 a roll call was started to see if players were back in position. The roll call was completed at 4:45 and play was resumed at 4:46 PM.

After returning to the course, a player who lifted his ball must place a ball (not necessarily the same ball) on the spot from which he lifted his ball. If the player did not lift his ball, he is entitled to mark the location, lift it and clean or substitute a ball before resuming play. If his ball or his marker had been moved, he must estimate the location and place a ball there.

If the storm altered the player's lie, he would have to accept the new conditions, be they good or bad.

Written by John Vander Borght, manager of Rules communications for the USGA.