U.S. Open Returns to Merion Golf Club
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For the first time since 1981, the U.S. Open returns this week to the famed East Course at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. This U.S. Open will mark the 18th time that Merion has hosted a USGA Championship, more than any other venue. While it has hosted several USGA events since its last Open, U.S. Amateur Championship in 2005 and the Walker Cup in 2009, it has been overlooked in recent years due to its length.
Playing at only 6,996 yards this week, Merion will be the first venue since Shinnecock Hills in 2004 to measure less than 7,000 yards. The short distance, coupled with the advancements in ball and club technology could prove to be no match for today’s current pros. Several inches of rain have drenched the course since Friday, which could cause another major challenge for the USGA and Merion.
Wet conditions will make scoring more optimal for players looking to fire away at the wicker baskets (Merion has wicker baskets instead of flags on its greens). As a result, scores which are historically high at U.S. Opens could be lower than normal this week. The wet weather will also put even more of a premium on hitting fairways. One of the major defenses that Merion still has is its thick, long rough. Expected to be at least an inch and a half high, the golfers would have a tough time advancing the ball out of the rough in perfect conditions. Add large amounts of rain and it will be like hitting through concrete to get the ball out.
Ultimately, this course will play to the advantage of shot shapers and straight golfers more than big hitters. Here is a look at some of the local golfers teeing it up come Thursday and how they should fair on the historical course.
Tiger Woods- Another major brings up the discussion of Tiger’s run at Jack’s 18 majors. While Woods has not won a major since he won his fourth U.S. Open in 2008, he is off to one of his best starts to a season in his career. The Jupiter Island resident already has four wins to his name on the year, and while he didn’t have a great outing at the Memorial two weeks ago (tie for 65th) he was hitting fairways off the tee consistently. If he can repeat his performance off the tee and get his short game working like he did at The Players Championship then he should leave Pennsylvania with major number 16.
Rory Mcllroy- Woods playing partner the first two days, Mcllroy won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open. While he missed the cut last year, his game has been coming back into form more and more each week. If the Palm Beach Gardens resident can capitalize on his high ball flight and his ability to shape shots, then he should be in contention for his first win of 2013.
Lee Westwood- The Old Palm resident has five top 10s in his last 13 U.S. Opens and has not finished outside the top 25 since 2008. Before withdrawing from the Memorial two weeks ago, Westwood has recorded five straight top 10 finishes. He ranks 33rd on tour in fairways hit, a statistic that will be key this week if he wants to have success.
Charl Schwartzel- With all that has happened already this season on tour (anchored putting, Tiger’s for wins, Tiger v Sergio) the Old Palm resident has quietly racked up 11 top 10 finishes in his last 16 events including a tie for 8th at the Memorial. Schwartzel ranks 15th on tour in ball-striking.
Louis Oosthuizen- Oosthuizen is playing this week because his third child was born early. Before a neck injury caused him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson, the Old Palm resident had posted three top 20 finishes in four starts. Ranking 15th in greens in regulation, Oosthuzien should be able to take advantage of the soft conditions when it comes to getting on the green.
Rickie Fowler- Unlike many of his other competitors this week, Fowler has an added advantage over the competition. While most of the golfers competing this week had not seen the course until recently, Fowler played Merion as part of the Walker Cup team in 2009. The Loxahatchee River resident ranks 70th in driving accuracy and 132nd in greens in regulation and will need to improve on those numbers if he wants to contend this week.
For complete coverage of the U.S. Open visit www.pgatour.com.
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