Poor light will result in golf’s top three ranked players – Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott – having to return to the course early on Friday to complete their opening rounds in the US Open.

Play was suspended for a second time at Merion Golf Club, where dangerous weather is in the area.

Players are currently being held in place and with officials taking a wait-and-see approach to see what develops with the current cluster of cells in the area.

Two weather delays on day one of the US Open meant golf’s top three will not complete their rounds. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)

Earlier Thursday, play was halted for more than 3 1/2 hours as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the area.

Phil Mickelson is the clubhouse leader after an opening-round 67.

Peter Hedblom is also 3 under but has played just seven holes.

The first delay meant Woods, McIlroy and Scott didn’t tee off until 4:44 p.m local time.  When the second delay came McIlroy and Scott were at 1 under, while Woods was 1 over.

Woods bogeyed the opening hole, three-putting after finding the green with his approach from the right rough. McIlroy and Scott, meanwhile, both made par.

Woods is seeking his first major in five years, which also came at the U.S. Open in anepic performance at Torrey Pines. McIlroy won a U.S. Open two years ago, while Scott comes in having won the year’s first major, the Masters.