Record-setting May heat has graced the Charleston area this week for the US Women’s Open, with temperatures reaching as high as 38 degrees celsius. It’s been so hot that the USGA posted extreme heat signs on video boards throughout the Country Club of Charleston property, urging fans to drink plenty of water and find shade when possible.
On Friday afternoon, while temps did reach 37, it was a different type of extreme weather that rolled in, halting play around 5pm. Minutes after the horn was blown, a light rain began to fall and some thunder and lightning rolled in. One lightning strike in particular literally sent shockwaves through the grounds, and it was captured by FOX Sports cameras. Here are a few clips and still photos of the strike:
Lightning strikes a tree at the US Women's Open during a weather delay (h/t @shanebacon) pic.twitter.com/eHJ3Wsidbk
— Superdrunkmark69 (@cjzer0) May 31, 2019
The bolt actually struck a tree just left of the 18th green, causing a huge split right down the center of the tree. Volunteers were roping off the area around it in case it actually does split in half and come crashing down.
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
The ⚡️did a number on this tree and the ground below.#USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/sQQYHgDdwV
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 31, 2019
Wild scene. The strike was so loud and forceful that everyone in the media centre simultaneously ducked for cover as if a bomb went off. Thankfully, no journalists were injured making such quick athletic movements. Same goes for all the competitors, volunteers and fans on the grounds.
