Posted on 06/14/2013 5:55:27 PM PDT by FlJoePa
ARDMORE, Pa. -- It didn't take long to figure out who was winning the U.S. Open on Friday: Merion.
The historic course in suburban Philadelphia rose up and put down any thought it could be manhandled, with perhaps some help from the United States Golf Association.
Despite a week's worth of rain and soft conditions that many figured would make the East Course vulnerable, scoring was in line with the typically high numbers often seen at the year's second major championship.
When play was suspended due to darkness, Phil Mickelson was tied for the lead with Billy Horschel. Mickelson, the leader after the first round, was 2 over in the second round but finished with a birdie at No. 18 just before play was stopped and sits at 1-under overall.
Horschel's 67, in which he hit all 18 greens in regulation, might be ranked among the rounds of the year. David Graham hit all 18 greens on his way to a 67 and a victory at the last U.S. Open played here in 1981.
Tiger Woods, dealing with a problematic left elbow, was one of just five players in the morning wave to shoot par or better on the 6,996-yard course that is hosting the U.S. Open for the fifth time. His even-par 70, which had its share of miscues, nonetheless kept him in the tournament.
"It's hard with the wind and the pin locations," said Woods, who never has been over par through 36 holes of a PGA Tour tournament and gone on to win. "They're really tough. We knew they were going to be in [tough] areas, but we didn't think they were going to be as severe as they are."
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...
Also great that all three US based majors this year (Augusta, Merion,and Oak Hill) have PSU Turfgrass graduates as head superintendents. The guy at Merion has done a hell of a job.
He was interviewed on the Golf Channel last week and one of the talking heads was asking him about winning scores around -15 and he just sort of looked at them like they were either drunk or nuts and said "I don't see that happening"...HAH!
Golf Ping
This is setting up to be a great weekend. One hole can't win the tournament, but it can certainly lose it. Keep an I on Univ of WA senior, Cheng Tsung Pan. O worked the sectional qualifier where he made it into the Open. This kid can play and he has great composure.
But, I'm still pulling for Phil.
Would not be surprised at all to see a winning tournament score of -2. The rough is brutal. Also, I love Lefty, but he played irons off some tees today (which should give him a high degree of accuracy), and he STILL missed the fairway! That is unacceptable.
so, it would seem that, while the early birdie gets the worm...
Conversely, would be content if Eldrick never wins another major, and Nicklaus’ record remains intact.
Couldn’t watch the first two rounds, working to support obama voters and all that. Definitely want to see how this “short” course is beating the crap out of the pro’s!
Tiger and Rory advancing toward the top, tied for 17th, four strokes behind the leader. This is getting good :)
Could be a good week end!
From the looks of the greens today, there can be some really tough pin placements that will give a big advantage to players with good short games. I have a feeling Phil will be sending the plane home to get Amy and the kids in the morning.
I’ve got a member/guest tourney at the end of the month, it gives me hope when I see the pro’s +10 (or worse) on a round. I’m a 12 HC and it’s nice to see these guys are human. (of course I’d be lucky to bust 100 on that course!)
Merion has been turned into a “golf course” that is fit for a USOpen. Tight fairways around the 300-yard mark and severely overgrown rough.
Whiney Zach Johnson can call it “manipulated” all he wants but he better be in the fairway ^and^ GIR or he will be going home (early or with a thin paycheck).
This US Open is fun.
I love this game and I'm loving every shot of this true test of golf where, as always, everyone has to play the same course - but not everyone can control their mind and nerves.
One year during a practice round on a warm day Phil came off the fairway to get a couple of bottles of water. There were probably about 15 people standing in line and he bypassed everyone and went to the side door to get the attendant's attention. A good friend of mine was at the front of the line and came back with the story:
Phil took the water, tipped the attendant well and gave him and extra fist full of cash saying, "Take care of the fans for me". Then he tipped his hat, said, "Thanks folks" and went about his business.
Great story Baynative. You gonna post a live thread? I think you should. I’ll do what I can to keep it bumped.
Cool story thanks. I hope Phil overcomes the curse the US Open has had on him and wins this rodeo.
Heck of a third round! Thats some NASTY rough out there. Go Lefty.
I won’t be any help on a live thread. I’m on the tee @ 7:00AM PST and taking in the final round over BBQ with friends.
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