2013 US Open

The 2013 US Open returns to the East Course at famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA. Merion Golf Club was established in 1896 and the East Course was built in 1912.

Merion has been host to 18 USGA Championships, the most of any course. It held US Opens in 1930 (Olin Durta), 1950 (Ben Hogan), 1971 (Lee Trevino), and 1981 (David Graham).

The course measures almost 6,900 yards from the back tees which is relatively short for today's standards. The short holes at Merion and short but the long holes are really long (see the 521 yard par 4 18th). The defense at Merion is long rough and small greens. If the course plays firm we will see a tough to make pars US Open despite the length.

Instead of flags, Merion has wicker baskets on top of their pins. The course designer, Hugh Wilson, was on a trip to England and noticed that the sheep herders had staffs with wicker baskets. The baskets held their lunch so the sheep couldn't get to it. Wilson used the idea for the pins for Merion and the wicker baskets will be used for the US Open.

My predictions:

     -2 if the course is firm
     -11 if the course is soft