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Thursday
Jun232011

The USGA's Merion Problem

When the USGA awarded Merion the 2013 U.S. Open, most of the discussion centered around logistics and the financial hit the organization would take when playing at such an intimate venue.

But in light of Congressional's low scoring brought on by soft conditions that could just as easily be seen at Merion, I'm having a hard time envisioning how a course 5-600 yards shorter than Congressional has much chance of providing a challenge short of silly rough and absurd narrowness. After all, Congressional played a very short 7400 yards even with pretty soft landing areas.

To be more blunt: I just don't see how a U.S. Open is going to work at Merion unless equipment rules have been changed by 2013. And we know that's not going to happen!

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Reader Comments (50)

I'm excited to see a US Open at Merion. There will be numerous references to Hogan which should refresh him in the minds of some of the new players of the game. Courses with history are cool.


-LK
06.23.2011 | Unregistered CommenterLiquidKaos
tlavin....so you've never been to Merion I guess?
06.23.2011 | Unregistered CommenterRM
Huntingdon Valley might be a good open choice for Philly as well.
06.23.2011 | Unregistered Commenterrose
What has changed since the US Open was awarded to Merion? Driving distances are static on the PGA Tour over the last 8 years so that hasn't changed (see my post on the bifurcation thread). The only thing that has changed is that Rory ripped about the scoring records at this year's US Open.
06.23.2011 | Unregistered CommenterWayner
I thought the setup at the Am would challenge the pros. That week a lot of players that shot in the 60's at Philly CC did not break 80 at Merion.
Tlavin-- I feel the same way. Amazing that the ball or shafts or whatever should be conform to the playing characteristcs of one course. And a private one at that. Geez talk about elitism. And why the worry, if it's that great then it's greatness will be revealed, no matter how short or long. May the best putter win, just like always.
06.23.2011 | Unregistered CommenterA3golfer
Some very humorous posts here. Forget the pontification theories....Merion is bad-ass....period! Remember what you wrote here when the final scores come in on Father's Day 2013.

As to West Coast venues being better for the U. S. Open....say what? Torrey was a soft, dull track that was saved by an epic duel. Look at the tape; where was the Open release on the greens or running fairways?

Pebble in 2000 was a soft mess except for Saturday, when Els was the only man in the field to break par with 68, the round of the tournament. Everybody was so caught up in the coronation, they didn't even bother to recognize the USGA had overwatered that course due to fears there would be a repeat of the final round in '92, when Kite won and many in the field soared into the 80's score-wise. The fog rolled and they lost the ability to control the firmness. Again, don't believe me...look at the tape and watch drive after drive hit and go nowhere. Balls that check and spin back on flat portions of greens.

In the end, East Coast or West Coast, it all comes down to the soil profile, course preparation pre-event and the weather. The quality of Merion will surface in 2013. If it's firm, it will be a super test. If it's soft, a mellower slog could ensue. Just as it could anywhere else.
06.23.2011 | Unregistered Commentersir real
I think Merion will defend herself just fine, but I think the USGA screwed the pooch on not having the 2013 Open at Brookline.
06.23.2011 | Unregistered CommenterJeremy
Just Played Merion and Congressonal 3 weeks ago. Merion although shorter played much harder. The rough was much tougher then Congressonal. There is no first cut of rough and the fairways run off into some very difficult lies. You must be very acurate in choosing your lines off the tees and shaping your shots. The long holes played much tougher then anything at congressonal and the greens and rough will protect the shorter holes. I see a few of the shorter holes playing like 17 at Oakmont where a few bogeys were made down the strech in critical situations. The average score in the US Amatuer there a few years ago was over 77 in the medal rounds. Like Lee Trevino recently said dont worry about old Merion she will do just fine.
06.25.2011 | Unregistered CommenterCBG
Merion is a fine golf course. The scores will be super low. Even if it is played firm and fast, it won't matter. Typically, here in Philly, firm and fast doesn't happen until late August. Our weather is basically the same as DC was/is for The US Open so get over the theory that they will have it F&F. The problem with selecting Merion is that it isn't an Open course. It was an open course but no longer is. When you have to change 2-4 greens somewhere just to host an open you have dropped your drawers. The members of Merion are crazy to think that this is the start of things to come for them. Make sure your DVR's (or whatever we will be using then) are set to record this because it's the last one ever to be there.

Merion = good (not great) course. Merion Members = a pack of delusional snobs.
07.16.2011 | Unregistered CommenterKevin

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