WATCH: Massive lightning bolt strikes tree at U.S. Women’s Open
The U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston has been exciting, tense and at times — fine, we’ll say it — electric.
In case you missed it, the electricity arrived shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The horn blew to clear the course, and moments later a lightning bolt struck a tree near the 18th green, splitting the trunk. Fortunately no one was injured. Also fortunate: the strike was captured by television cameras, which allowed it to then spread far and wide on social media. So, fans of both elite golf and severe weather had a special opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking power of Mother Nature. Here’s a closer look at it.
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
Was updating the weather when this hit the 18th fairway … HEAVY STUFF ISNT COMING DOWN FOR QUITE A WHILE! pic.twitter.com/BwSdF7Ar5L
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) 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
So, again, the good news is that no one was injured. (Reports from the press center indicate that assorted golf media nearly jumped out their seats when the bolt landed, but somehow the group avoided muscle strains or pulls.) It’s been a strange weather week in Charleston, as temperatures climbed into the high 90s Friday afternoon.
The second round of the U.S. Women’s Open resumed about 90 minutes after the strike. Mamiko Higa leads Jessica Korda by one shot, while a handful of players, including Lexi Thompson (three under, three shots back) will complete their second rounds on Saturday morning.
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