'Totally unaware!': Unique rule stumps U.S. Open champ on TV

A fog delay on Thursday at the 2026 U.S. Open led to a surprising rules revelation that caught analyst Jim Furyk off guard.

The U.S. Open started off under unfriendly conditions, with heavy fog suspending play early in the morning at Shinnecock Hills. While players were waiting out the cold fog, an interesting rules conversation unfolded in the USA TV booth. Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion, found himself the center of attention when USGA rules official Jay Roberts appeared on the broadcast to discuss rule implications relevant to the suspension of play.

Tom Abbott, serving as an analyst, took advantage of Roberts’ presence to ask a question: “Can players practice on the previous green during a delay?” Roberts answered promptly, stating that players could indeed practice: “Practice areas will remain open, and players would be allowed to practice on the putting green of the hole they just completed.”

Roberts’ answer was a direct reflection of Rule 5.2b, which 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. This fact astounded Furyk, who admitted on air, “Great call, I had no idea!”

Play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon chimed in, exclaiming, “You just stumped the champ!” But Furyk wasn’t the only one caught off guard; former PGA Tour winner Curt Byrum also didn’t know about this rule. When Gannon asked Byrum, “Curt, did you know that?” he responded, “I did not.”

Since play was already suspended on Thursday morning, U.S. Open competitors did not need to worry about holding up play if they wanted to practice on the previous green. However, they needed to know the rule to take advantage of it.

There’s a good reason why players like Furyk and Byrum might not be aware of this rule: the PGA Tour. In PGA Tour events, players are prohibited from practicing on the previous green they just completed. This restriction, imposed by Model Local Rule I-2, 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 in USGA events, they are conditioned not to practice on the previous hole, as it would invite a penalty. This mental conditioning doesn’t always fade when they step onto the U.S. Open in June, where the Model Local Rule is not in effect. The good news is that the same rule that stumped Furyk applies to recreational golfers. So if you finish a hole and want to replay your last putt for practice, go ahead. It’s completely within the rules. Just be sure not to hold up the group behind you.