The weather that was expected to make news at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open was the heat as Charleston, South Carolina’s index is reaching well into the triple digits.
However, as play was coming to a close on Friday, the horn sounded as a dangerous storm moved into the area.
After only a few minutes of light rain, thunder and lightning began spreading across the grounds, leading to a shocking lightning strike that split a tree in half near the 18th green at the Country Club of Charleston.
Fox cameras were still rolling when the strike happened.
Scary scene during the weather delay at the #USWomensOpen. Players and fans are safe, and play is about to resume. pic.twitter.com/wAW3ivGjKv
— USGA (@USGA) May 31, 2019
While the storm moved through and play was able to resume although not complete, the tree and area near the 18th green where the lightning struck was roped off as officials feared the tree may fall as a result of the strike.
Update: the aftermath of the strike on the tree. Looks like this on both sides pic.twitter.com/l4eYa026ZN
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) May 31, 2019
The ⚡️did a number on this tree and the ground below.#USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/sQQYHgDdwV
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 31, 2019
Lightning bolt pretty much split this oak tree in half at Country Club of Charleston. You can smell burnt wood. They are roping it off #uswomensopen #usga #lpga pic.twitter.com/Gt0Ltj85jY
— Jeff Hartsell (@Jeff_fromthePC) May 31, 2019
Japan’s Mamiko Higa laid claim to the weather-delayed overnight lead by a stroke after a two-round total of 6-under par 132. Jessica Korda sits at 5-under par and a shot off Higa’s lead. Lexi Thompson is three shots back at 3-under par.
