US Open 2013
This week the United States Open returns to one of America’s famed golf courses; Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania which is in suburban Philadelphia. This will be the fifth time Merion has hosted the U.S. Open and the first since David Graham won the title in 1981. It is the site of Ben Hogan’s heroic victory in 1950 and Lee Trevino’s memorable playoff triumph over Jack Nicklaus in 1971. Old Merion built in 1912 was deemed by the USGA as too short to have a major. The course will play this week at just under 7000 yards. Most majors these days are playing at over 7400 so it will be short but it will also be ever so sweet. The USGA decided to give the “old lady” one more chance and I for one can’t wait to see how she holds up under today’s power players.
I can see it now—the fairways will be tight. The rough will be thick and extra penal. I expect the greens will be off the charts high on the stimpmeter. So who does a course like this favor? It favors no one and everyone. It sounds contradictory but true if you think about it. Opens always favor the guys who hit the fairways and they always favor guys who can handle 5 footers—the difference here is the length allows the shorter hitters to be right in the ballgame from the outset. There will be no overpowering merion.
I love it and can’t wait until Thursday!
Bob’s picks: 156 men will tee it up.
My picks are Justin Rose, Keegan Bradley and Charl Schwartzel.
Who are yours? Let us know in the comments!