ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG

Steve Stricker: 'I'm a Savage'

2013-06-19T11:30:00.002-04:00

STEVE STRICKER IS A GOOD SPORT. We know that. Now there's another example. Stricker was a good sport in the above Avis "I'm a savage" commercial. Fun stuff.

Asked about the spot last week at the U.S. Open, Stricker said, "I hear that a lot from the galleries. And I'm not a savage by any means. I guess that's the funny part of the commmercial. I felt like a dork making it, but it was all good, all in good fun."

Starting one stroke behind Phil Mickelson's lead going into the final round at Merion Golf Club, Stricker got off to a rocky start and faded to a T8 finish. The tour veteran shot a 6-over 76 on Sunday after rounds of 71, 69 and 70. Despite going 4 over on his first three holes, Stricker said he was in a good place when he teed off.

"I didn't feel that nervous," Stricker said.

"I had a good warmup session. I felt good. I felt relaxed. I was excited for the day. Just the nature of the game, I guess. It puts you in place rather quickly at times. But still a good week. I competed well this week. I did a lot of good things. Surely not what I was looking for today, but still things I can build on."

Too bad about the missed opportunity. Along with Mickelson, Stricker, at age 46 and without a major, was a sentimental favorite. He knows he's running out of chances to break through.

Prep Golfer's 63 Earns Spot in Rex Hospital Open

2013-06-18T16:25:00.005-04:00

Carter Jenkins is happy after a 63.
(Yes, that's Billy Casper at left.)

CARTER JENKINS OF LEESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL in Raleigh went low on Father's Day. Playing in the Rex Hospital Open Junior Invitational at The Player's Club (TPC) at Wakefield Plantation, Jenkins carded an 8-under-par 63 to win low medalist honors and earn a spot in the field of the Rex Hospital Open, a Web.com Tour event that begins on Thursday.

"I had high expectations for the tournament today," Jenkins said. "I wanted to win this one pretty bad."

The round impressed the Tarheel Golf Foundation's Eric Murray, who knows a good score when he sees one, especially at TPC Wakefield Plantation.

"This was the lowest score I have seen in at least nine years," said Murray. "A 63 on this course is outstanding. Carter is not only ready to play, but ready to compete ...."

Now Jenkins will get the chance to tee it up with the pros in a tour event. Grayson Murray, a former teammate and past Junior Invitational winner, will caddie for him.

Jenkins, who also won the event in 2011 as the third youngest to play in the event at the age of 15, topped a Junior Invitational field featuring dozens of North Carolina's top prep golfers, many of whom will be playing for college programs next year.

Jenkins will attend UNC-Greensboro in the fall.

Justin Rose: 'Dad Was Inspiration the Whole Day'

2013-06-17T16:54:00.001-04:00

JUSTIN ROSE PUT ON A DISPLAY of sheer class as a golfer and a sportsman to consign his early career struggles to history and capture his first major championship with a two-stroke US Open victory over eternal bridesmaid Phil Mickelson and Australian’s Jason Day at a punishing Merion last night.

The 32 year old Englishman, who first rose to fame as a 17-year old amateur when he chipped in at the final hole to finish fourth in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale, carded a level par final round 70 to win the title with a one over par total of 281. His win, the first by an Englishman in a major for 17 years, meant a heart-breaking sixth US Open runner up finish for Mickelson on his 43rd birthday.

But not only did Rose have comforting words for the left-hander, the manner in which he closed out his victory by tapping in from a couple of inches for a closing par before gesturing to the heavens in tribute to his late father Ken, was spine-tingling and an example to youngsters everywhere.

“Yes, the look up to the heavens was absolutely for my dad,” Rose said. “Father’s Day was not lost on me today. You don’t have opportunities to really dedicate a win to someone you love. And today was about him and being Father’s Day.

“I got a beautiful text [from coach Sean Foley] that said go out and be the man your dad taught you to be and be the man that your kids can be proud of and look up to. That’s how I tried to carry myself out there. My dad was the inspiration the whole day.”

Rose also paid tribute to Mickelson the man.

“This is definitely a tough defeat for Phil. Five times or something, I guess now six times second in the U.S. Open. He’s such a great guy to play golf with and to have for the TOUR. I love the way he plays the game. He plays fearless golf. He keeps everybody guessing. He’s entertaining. And I feel fortunate to have been able to beat a world class player that he is on a day like today.

“He’s also on Father’s Day. I mean, he really showed the true spirit of fatherhood being at home for his daughter’s graduation earlier in the week and putting a tournament as his second priority and that’s very admirable.”

Brian Keogh covers golf for The Irish Sun and contributes to a variety of golf publications. Pay him a visit at Irish Golf Desk.

Luckless Lefty

2013-06-17T15:23:00.000-04:00

A promising U.S. Open again turned tragic for Phil Mickelson. (© USGA/Jonathan Kolbe)

By Matthew Wurzburger

PHIL MICKELSON ENTERED THE FINAL ROUND of the 2013 U.S. Open, and quickly faltered. Lefty bookended a birdie on the 4th hole with double bogeys on holes 3 and 5, and saw his lead evaporate. Then came the par-4 10th hole where Mickelson miraculously holed his approach shot for eagle and a share of the lead.

At that moment, as Phil retrieved his ball from the cup, you had to wonder if this would finally be his year. It wasn’t.

Mickelson lost all momentum by bogeying the 13th and 15th holes, yet found himself only one shot behind leader Justin Rose. It would come down to the 511-yard, par-4 18th hole for Phil; a birdie would force a playoff and 18 more holes on Monday. It was not meant to be as Phil’s second shot from the rough fell short of the green and his potential tournament-saving chip rocketed past the cup.

Feel free to stop me when this sounds familiar.

The stars appeared to align for Phil this time. The final round would occur on his 43rd birthday and, of course, on Father’s Day. His opening-round 67 following a redeye flight from his home in California seemed to suggest that this might be his time. But fast-forward to Sunday evening and you realize the stars were instead seemingly aligned to produce more U.S. Open heartbreak for Phil.

NBC’s Johnny Miller stated that Mickelson had “a million missed chances” during Sunday’s round at Merion. If Miller was correct, it is likely Phil missed as many chances during his other five runner-up finishes. Six million chances missed by Mickelson: putts that lipped out, drives that barely missed the fairway, approach shots left short, and chip shots hit with too much pace.

They all add up to tragic missteps such as a triple bogey on the 17th hole at Shinnecock Hills in 2004, a double bogey on the 18th at Winged Foot in 2006, and yesterday’s early double bogeys and costly late bogeys, leaving a people’s champion standing on the outside looking in for a record six times at the U.S. Open.

Sometimes it is not meant to be.

Matthew Wurzburger is a University of Virginia student who covers sports for The Cavalier Daily.

Tiger's Quest for 15th Major Continues

2013-06-16T16:24:00.004-04:00

Tiger Woods studies a putt at Merion Golf Club on Sunday. (© USGA/Joel Kowsky)

TIGER WOODS SHOT A 4-OVER 74 in the final round of the 2013 U.S. Open. Woods posted rounds of 73, 70, 76 and 74 to finish at 13-over par. Putting was his primary downfall.

"I struggled with the speed all week," Tiger said.

"These greens are grainy. It's one of the older bent grasses, creeping bent. So it's a little bit grainy. I struggled with the speed, especially right around the hole, putts were breaking a lot more. I gave it a little more break and then it would hang. That's kind of the way it was this week."

2013 U.S. Open: Final Round Course Setup

2013-06-16T15:03:00.004-04:00

Getting Merion ready for weekend play. (© USGA/Darren Carroll)

(Course setup notes provided to the media by the USGA.)

The following are details on the course setup for Round 4 of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, from Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director.

Green Speeds – The final round’s green speeds are in the 13- to 13½-foot range on the USGA Stimpmeter.

Fairway and Rough Grass – All fairways were mowed this morning. The rough’s first cut (18 feet in width of drive zones; 9 feet in width around greens) was mowed immediately after play last (Saturday) night.

Total Course Yardage for Sunday (tee marker settings to flagstick) = 3,646 yards out; 3,207 yards in = 6,853 total yards

Hole-by-Hole Information:

Hole 1 – 360 yards; the hole location is in the back-left portion of the green.

Hole 2 – 525 yards; tee markers have been moved forward to the penultimate teeing ground, which will give players a better opportunity to reach the green in two shots; the hole location is in the front-left portion of the green.

Hole 3 – 266 yards; tee markers are placed on the back tee; the hole location is two-thirds of the way back on the right; properly played tee shots should “feed” into this area.

Hole 4 – 571 yards; tee markers have been placed forward on the penultimate teeing ground; the hole location is in the front-center portion of the green.

Hole 5 – 495 yards; the hole location is in the front-center portion of the green.

Hole 6 – 477 yards; the hole location is in the back-right portion of the green.

Hole 7 – 490 yards; the hole location is on the front (first) left plateau.

Hole 8 – 353 yards; the hole location is in the back-right portion of the green.

Hole 9 – 246 yards; the hole location is in the back-left quadrant of this kidney-shaped green.

Hole 10 – 280 yards; tee markers are placed on the penultimate teeing ground, giving an opportunity to drive the green; the hole location is in the left portion of the green.

Hole 11 – 356 yards; the hole location is in the front-right portion, hugging the edge of the water hazard.

Hole 12 – 419 yards; the hole location is in the far back-right portion of the green.

Hole 13 – 121 yards; tee markers are placed on the back-right side of the lower teeing ground; the hole location is in the center, to the far right of the green.

Hole 14 – 452 yards; tee markers have been placed on the back teeing ground; the hole location is in the front-center of the green; putts played from beyond the hole are very fast.

Hole 15 – 422 yards; tee markers have again been moved slightly forward, giving a few more options off the tee; the hole location is back right, tucked behind the bunker that fronts the right side of the putting green.

Hole 16 – 423 yards; the hole location is in the front-left portion of the green, just above the front right “bowl.”

Hole 17 – 213 yards; the tee markers have been moved forward to the penultimate teeing ground; the hole location is in the back-right portion of the green in an area where balls will “feed” if the proper shot is played; birdies are a much better possibility in the final round.

Hole 18 – 511 yards; given the southerly headwind prediction, the tee markers are moved forward to the penultimate teeing ground; the hole is in the back left “bowl” in the traditional final-day championship location; balls should “feed” to this area.

Weather Forecast for Sunday (provided by Jake Swick of Thor Guard Weather)
Look for more clouds than sun this morning with a shower or few sprinkles possible as the first wave of the next storm system weakens heading into our existing drier air from yesterday. Southwesterly winds will pick up by this afternoon though, with gusts past 15 mph at times. Combine that with a bit more sunshine projected to start this afternoon and we should become warm enough and humid enough to get some shower and thunderstorm activity started with the second piece of energy. Fortunately because of all the extra cloud cover, the latest indications are that the atmosphere may not be as unstable as previously thought. Therefore expect a shower or storm to be possible from 2 p.m. on with the best chance for scattered showers (60 percent) and maybe a storm (30 percent) by 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. A shower or storm is possible as well this evening, however most of the action should die down after sunset. Monday should start out muggier than this morning and it will also be hotter as well with just the slimmest risk of a shower or storm.

Merion Is Like Boxing Great Joe Frazier

2013-06-16T11:12:00.003-04:00

Joe Frazier and Merion pack a powerful punch.

IN A PIECE AT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE on GolfDigest.com, former USGA Executive Director David Fay compared the East Course at Merion Golf Club where the 2013 U.S. Open is being staged this week to boxing great Joe Frazier.

"There was a headline this morning. After two rounds the winner is Merion," Fay said.

"I think it's held up well. You have a historic masterpiece here, and it is proving it is up to the challenge and taking everything that contemporary golf can dish out. We're in Philly. Joe Frazier. That's how I look at Merion. It's a compact heavyweight. It's relentless. There are some times when you think you can let your guard down you might get a whistling left hook and wonder what hit you."

So true.

For example, Merion's 17th and 18th holes are a fierce combination, able to knock out any player in the field. Which means the winner of the 113th U.S. Open championship will probably be in doubt until the final bell sounds. Anything can happen.

'Dejected' Graeme McDowell Focuses on Future

2013-06-15T13:27:00.003-04:00

By Brian Keogh

Brian Keogh is a golf correspondent for The Irish Sun and a contributor to The Irish Times, Golf Digest Ireland and other golf publications. The following excerpt from Brian’s Irish Golf Desk is used with permission.

WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE NOTED the warning signs last Tuesday. Graeme McDowell, one of the hot favourites behind Tiger Woods to win his second US Open this week, hemmed and hawed about the conditions, about possible mud balls and even about being heavily tipped. In summary, he sounded like a man who was distinctly uncomfortable with the pressure of being regarded as the man most likely to throw a spanner in the Woods works.

As it turned out, it was the change in the course from last week’s firm running practice rounds to this week’s sticky wicket that clean bowled the 2010 champion as he added a 77 to his opening 76 to miss the cut on 13 over par.

“Pretty far over par,” said McDowell who signed off at the 10th by making his fourth double bogey of the round. “It’s that hard, it’s that difficult, it’s that long. I’m disappointed, of course. It’s not the way I wanted to play the last couple of days. But this place is very hard.”

Not even the thought of the upcoming Irish Open or Open Championship could cheer up the Portrush man.

“I’m temporarily dejected,” he said.

“You’re trying to prepare yourself as well as you can coming into weeks like this so I’ll shake it off and I’ll get ready for The Open Championship in a few weeks time. That’s my next target. The Irish Open and the French Open between then. I’ll be competitively sharp going into Muirfield and I’ll continue to draw on this season.”

Already three over par with five holes of his opening round to complete yesterday morning, McDowell bogeyed the 16th and then double bogeyed the 18th from the middle of the fairway to move one step closer to the airport.

He was still optimistic about his chances of clawing his way back, insisting: “The beauty of the US Open though is that it’s not over. I can go and shoot 3, 4 under par this afternoon...So all is not lost.”

But it didn’t quite work out that way.

Starting at the bijoux 11th where Bobby Jones closed out his Grand Slam in 1930, McDowell ran up a double bogey six for the second day in a row. His tournament was all but over, yet while he birdied the 12th, he bogeyed the 15th and then double bogeyed the 17th and 18th to balloon to 12 over par. He hit back with birdies at the par-five second and fourth but bogeyed the sixth and limped to the finish.

“I struggled the last couple days, but that’s golf and that’s the US Open,” he said. “And this golf course will do that to you, but it will be a short‑term dejection ... we’ll soon check that off and get ready.”

Brian Keogh covers golf for The Irish Sun and contributes to a variety of golf publications. Pay him a visit at Irish Golf Desk.

Not-So-Sweet Merion Produces High Scores

2013-06-15T11:03:00.002-04:00

Merion was unkind to Tim Clark on Friday. (© USGA/Michael Cohen)

THE CONCERN AT THE BEGINNING of the week, as biblical rains fell in Ardmore, was this: How would poor little Merion fare against the world's best golfers? One glance at the leaderboard as we await the start of the third round tells the story. Merion is a brute, a smallish one perhaps, but a brute nonetheless. Only Billy Horschel and Phil Mickelson are under par at the halfway point of the 2013 U.S. Open. Both are 1 under and will play in the final group along with Luke Donald on Saturday.

I am reminded of a few things. This is a U.S. Open, after all, and it's playing like one. The USGA are the masters of setting up a golf course to play tough, even one that has seen six or so inches of rain fall on it in a week's time. Another thing: A U.S. Open course need not play long to play hard. This is one hard-playing short golf course.

We also know it's the U.S. Open because some of the happy talk early in the week has turned into pointed and angry talk as the weekend approached. Case in point: Zach Johnson, the usually diplomatic Masters champion from Iowa. Zach made some un-Zach-like comments about the Merion setup after posting an 11-under total.

"I would describe the whole golf course as manipulated," Johnson said in a story by Randall Mell at GolfChannel.com. "It just enhances my disdain for the USGA and how it manipulates golf courses."

Asked if it was a fair setup, he said, "Not when luck is required. I think Merion is a great golf course, if you let Merion be, but that is not the agenda."

Welcome to the U.S. Open. No one protects par like the USGA.

Others also made comments, somewhat veiled, but you got their drift. The hole locations on Friday had players grumbling to themselves, and occasionally aloud.

"They moved the tee up on 17," said Rory McIlroy, who is in contention at 3-over par. "But they put the pin in a place that's virtually impossible to get to. I felt like I hit a career shot and I hit it to about 60 feet."

"They've really tried to ... protect the golf course with it being as soft as it is," said Tiger Woods, who is tied with McIlroy. "And they've given us some really, really tough pins."

That was Friday on a saturated golf course. This is Saturday, the sun is shining and not-so-sweet Merion is drying out. Who, if anyone, will be under or near par at nightfall?

Billy Ball

2013-06-14T19:14:00.002-04:00

Billy Horschel fired a 67 at the U.S. Open. (© USGA/Hunter Martin)

BILLY HORSCHEL HIT ALL 18 GREENS in regulation in the second round of the U.S. Open on Friday at Merion Golf Club. Horschel's impressive ball-striking exhibition resulted in a 3-under 67, tying him with Phil Mickelson for low round of the championship. Horschel's 36-hole total of 1-under 139 makes him the leader in the clubhouse. Several groupings are still playing their second round on Friday evening.

Horschel was patient on Friday. Horschel was also prudent, not firing at pins. But, as he said about his consistent long game, "I wasn't in the zone.

"I was just focused on what I tried to do. I didn't know I hit every green until I walked off 18. It's a cool thing."

David Graham had a similar round at Merion, also hitting 18 greens and carding a 67. Graham took home the U.S. Open trophy. That was in 1981, more than five years before Horschel was born.

McIlroy and Woods Trade Jabs and Match Scores

2013-06-14T17:49:00.002-04:00

Rory McIlroy on Friday at Merion Golf Club. (© USGA/Joel Kowsky)

THEIR DAY BEGAN EARLY. RORY MCILROY and Tiger Woods resumed their first round at 7:13 a.m. on Friday and both finished with a 3-over 73 on Merion's East Course. A short while later, along with Masters champion Adam Scott, they were on the tricky layout again to play their second round. They both went around in even-par 70, a tidy score on a breezy, mostly sunny day.

"I played well," Woods said. "I just made a couple mistakes out there today, but I really played well. Maybe I could have gotten one or two more out of it, but it was a pretty good day."

"I really like it," McIlroy said about playing in the U.S. Open. "You're under pressure from that first tee shot and you got to put your ball in the fairway every hole .... And when you do, there's some holes that you can take advantage of and there's some holes that you just have to try and make par and move on. So it's a great test and it's a test that I am enjoying this week."

Merion is playing tougher than expected. The first-round scoring average was a shade over 74. Besides a 67 by Billy Horschel, no one else has cracked par as of late Friday afternoon. Scott, the other member of the star grouping, struggled to a 75 in the second round after opening with a 72. The Aussie is in jeopardy of missing the cut.

How did Rory enjoy Tiger's company for the first two days at a U.S. Open?

"We still get on well and there was still a good bit of chatter out there and a good bit of needling every now and again. I said something at the last that I was trying to make that putt so I didn't have to play with you [Tiger] tomorrow .... [I]t's always good fun with them out there."

At 3-over 143, McIlroy and Woods will be around for the weekend. Moreover, they're in contention to put their name on the U.S. Open trophy yet again.

U.S. Open Spectator Report: For the Love of Golf

2013-06-14T11:46:00.000-04:00

Golf fans flock to the U.S. Open. (© USGA/Hunter Martin)

PEOPLE, AS IN SPECTATORS, LOVE the U.S. Open. I believe it because I've seen it. Yesterday's dire weather forecast did not keep golf fans away from Merion Golf Club or significantly diminish the crowds, at least not as far as I could tell. We don't have weather anymore. We have "weather events." This area's Thursday forecast had a little bit of everything: severe thunderstorms, rain, more rain, possible tornadoes, possible hail, you name it.

But it did not deter thousands of spectators who were determined to be a part of America's national golf championship. They tromped along muddy paths in all kinds of footwear, many wearing rubber boots, to watch the world's best golfers. You know what? The "weather event," as forecasted, didn't come off. Thursday turned out far better, with more golf played, than anyone could have hoped for. The USGA must have breathed a huge, collective sigh of relief.

One man who I heard interviewed on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio had a ticket for Thursday and was on a personal mission to get here. He had never been to a U.S. Open. He lives in Rochester, New York. He drove seven hours from his upstate New York home and planned to park at the Rose Tree lot. Upon learning that particular lot had been closed for the duration of the championship due to weather-related issues, he parked his car, hopped on public transit and arrived at Merion's doorstep. On Thursday evening, he was on the road home to Rochester, brimming with enthusiasm.

Opening in 1912, Merion wasn't built for an event such as this, with its tented villages, massive USGA infrastructure, worldwide media presence and tens of thousands of spectators. The U.S. Open has taken over this quaint Ardmore neighborhood. USGA shuttles loop through driveways of residents. The scoring trailers and flash media area where players are interviewed when they come off the course are on the McNeil's property. (It's a nice place with a rather large garage.)

U.S. Opens might typically host approximately 40,000 spectators per day. Because of Merion's petite size, this U.S. Open can accommodate 25,500 golf fans per day. Routing and flows make certain parts of the golf course inaccessible to spectators on foot, but there are bleachers galore. In fact, there are enough bleachers to seat 15,000 folks. (One prime viewing spot that I've taken advantage of is the generous bleacher seating at the 17th green.)

For those determined to park their cars close to Merion, it will cost $30 to $45 per day based on the signs I've seen. There are plenty of residents and local businesses hawking parking spots on the edges of the East Course.

The weather forecast looks good for today's second round, which was delayed about three hours as several groupings still had to finish round one. It is overcast and cool. It will only reach the low 70s. Rain showers and thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon.

Phil Mickelson Plays Like It's 1999 to Grab U.S. Open Lead

2013-06-13T18:22:00.003-04:00

ON THURSDAY AT MERION GOLF CLUB, Phil Mickelson played golf like it was 1999. Mickelson fired a 3-under 67 on the soggy championship layout, his lowest first round in a U.S. Open since he battled Payne Stewart down the stretch at Pinehurst fourteen years earlier.

Apparently, crisscrossing the country to attend his daughter's eighth-grade graduation and arriving back in eastern Pennsylvania in the early morning hours didn't bother the charismatic veteran still searching for his first U.S. Open title. Mickelson had command of his game as he carded four birdies and made just one bogey on the storied East Course.

Mickelson was comfortable with his prep work, so a quick trip home to San Diego had no ill effects on his game.

"I got all my work done on Merion when I was here a week and a half ago," he said. "I knew exactly how I wanted to play the golf course, given the conditions ... clubs I was going to be hitting, where I was going to be and the shots I was going to have."

After completing his round, Lefty was sounding like Lee Trevino, who said he loved Merion after beating Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff to win the 1971 U.S. Open.

"I told [USGA Executive Director Mike Davis] that this is the best setup I've ever seen for a U.S. Open. I think what I loved about Merion and what they did to Merion in the setup is they made the hard holes even harder .... [I]f you're playing well, you're going to be able to make pars and you're going to be able to separate yourself from the field."

That's exactly what Mickelson did on Thursday. He made birdies where they're expected, but he also played par golf through Merion's punishing stretch of five finishing holes. Afterward, he explained why Merion wasn't more vulnerable to low scores on what is likely to be the easiest scoring day of the tournament.

"We are all struggling because it's such a penalizing golf course," he said. "It's penalizing if you miss fairways, very difficult if you miss greens, and it's not a given to two-putt on these greens. They're some of the most pitched greens we have ever seen and they're very quick."

Not long after Mickelson completed his round, the grouping of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott teed off. The marquee grouping and several others will not complete their first round by nightfall, but at least they're progressing nicely after a weather forecast that had everyone wondering if Thursday would be a disaster.

UPDATE: Play has again been halted due to weather.

2013 U.S. Open: Round 1 Course Setup

2013-06-13T13:08:00.001-04:00

Changing skies over Merion on Thursday. (© USGA/Darren Carroll)

FIRST-ROUND PLAY OF THE U.S. OPEN resumed after a nearly four-hour suspension due to thunderstorms. Here's how the USGA has set up Merion's East Course for Thursday, taking into account the anticipated storms.

(Setup details were provided by USGA Executive Director Mike Davis.)

Green Speeds – Today's green speeds before the rain were in the 13- to 13½-foot range on the USGA Stimpmeter. They will likely settle out in the mid-to-high 12s when play resumes.

Rough Grass – In anticipation of today's weather event, the closer-in (roughly 18 feet in width) rough grass in the drive zones, as well as the closer-in (9 feet in width) greenside rough on some of the holes, was mowed last night.

Weather Affecting Course Setup Decisions – Hole locations for Round 1 were chosen based on the forecast for heavy rains. Further, teeing grounds and hole locations that have more slope were chosen based on the forecast for winds predominantly out of the south for Thursday. However, winds will switch to predominantly from the north on Friday (when we will likely still be playing Round 1). The intent is to provide fair conditions with the knowledge that there will likely be wind in opposite directions for Round 1.

Total Course Yardage for Thursday (tee marker settings to flagstick) = 3,760 yards out; 3,206 yards in = 6,966 total yards

Based on the current forecast at Weather.com, it looks like there could be a window for extended play this afternoon. Severe thunderstorms are in the forecast for late afternoon or early evening.

2013 U.S. Open TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-06-13T10:06:00.002-04:00

THE 2013 U.S. OPEN began early Thursday morning at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Play was suspended at 8:36 a.m. due to a severe storm that is expected to disrupt play for much of the day. Ian Poulter is the early leader at 3 under par. Starting on the 11th hole, Poulter carded three consecutive birdies before play was suspended.

Purse: $8 million
Winner’s share: $1.44 million
Defending champion: Webb Simpson

2013 U.S. Open Leaderboard

The field
Groupings and starting times
The course
Championship overview
Tour report
Interviews
Live video

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 U.S. Open is on ESPN and NBC.
All times ET.

Thu, Jun 13
9:00a-3:00p ESPN
3:00-5:00p NBC
5:00-7:00p ESPN

Fri, Jun 14
9:00a-3:00p ESPN
3:00-5:00p NBC
5:00-7:00p ESPN

Sat, Jun 15
1:00-7:30p NBC

Sun, Jun 16
1:00-7:30p NBC

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

Raining Birdies (and Rain) Early at Merion

2013-06-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DAY at the U.S. Open. The first round teed off on schedule but was suspended at 8:36 a.m. as the first band of a severe storm approached Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Thunder is rumbling overhead as I sit in the media center.

Several groupings starting on the 1st and 11th tees were on Merion's East Course when play was suspended.

Ian Poulter began his round at the 11th, joined by Jason Dufner and Boo Weekley, and posted 3-3-2 to start his U.S. Open with three consecutive birdies. Poulter is the early, and I mean early, leader at 3 under par. Four players are at 2 under: Nicolas Colsaerts, Charl Schwartzel, Tim Clark and Charley Hoffman, who started his round birdie-birdie.

How much golf will be played today is an open question. When I will evacuate the media tent is also an open question. The most severe weather is expected this afternoon.

2013 U.S. Open: Wednesday Images from Merion

2013-06-12T19:05:00.004-04:00

Volunteers

Spectators

USGA Executive Director Mike Davis

Distinctly Merion

Lee Westwood

Keegan Bradley

2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson

Luke Donald

Zach Johnson

Dustin Johnson

Tiger Woods

Stormy Start Ahead at Merion

2013-06-12T16:21:00.004-04:00

IF ONLY IT COULD STAY LIKE THIS. By this, I mean sunny, warm, breezy. Merion Golf Club is gorgeous this afternoon, 80 degrees, a light wind drying out these golf wetlands. But, alas, the weather is supposed to take another dramatic turn on Thursday. More on that in a moment.

I took a walk a little while ago along the 16th, 15th, 14th and 11th holes. The ground underfoot is damp, even wet, in places, but it's also surprisingly dry at the surface where the thick, lush grass that borders the fairways is growing before one's eyes. Or so it seems. I reached down to brush the grass in spots. It's not wet. If the rain could stay away for a few days, this 113 U.S. Open might not be overly influenced by soggy turf.

The weather forecast is ominous, though. The early morning USGA update said this: "Showers to our west today will clip us at times tonight and Thursday morning before potentially severe storms march through Thursday afternoon. Strong winds Thursday night will help usher in drier air for Friday."

Merion, what I've seen of it, looks immaculate. The rough will be a serious issue. It it tall. It is thick. And, with more rain likely, it will be wet. A trip into the rough will cost a stroke or more. Ernie Els said a player can figure on advancing the ball about 120 to 140 yards out of the rough, at best.

Players: DO NOT GO INTO THE ROUGH.

They will, of course. The ones who visit the rough the least will be the names you see on the leaderboard.

Tomorrow I hope we're talking about the 150-plus players and their starts after all the pre-championship buildup, but I'm afraid much of the conversation will be about the weather. A wicked storm is bearing down on poor Merion from the west.

Hey, Tiger, Clint. While We're Young

2013-06-12T15:23:00.003-04:00

THE USGA TODAY UNVEILED A NEW public-education campaign around the theme of "While We're Young" to raise awareness across the golf community of the challenges and solutions to the game's pace-of-play issues. Borrowing the iconic line from the character played by Rodney Dangerfield in the classic 1980 film Caddyshack®, the campaign takes a lighthearted approach to encourage golfers of all skill levels and golf course facilities to join a movement to improve pace of play and reduce the time it takes to play the game.

The USGA will debut five public-service announcements (PSA) featuring Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer and golf instructor Butch Harmon. The five PSAs can be viewed at www.usga.org/whilewereyoung.

Hello, Merion

2013-06-12T10:14:00.001-04:00

I'M HERE. I'M EXCITED. OK, SO I'm not actually on the grounds yet, but I will be soon. In fact, I just wrote this in an email to a friend in England: "I'm in Philadelphia for the U.S. Open, and will lay eyes on Merion for the first time in a couple of hours. Excited!"

This is my third consecutive U.S. Open. My first as a credentialed media member was Rory McIlroy's record romp at Congressional in 2011. I was at Olympic last year, and with my book coming out at that time and my association with giant-killer Jack Fleck, I can't imagine anything topping that. If all goes as planned, I'll also be at next year's U.S. Open in Pinehurst, which is only about four hours from my Floyd, Virginia, door.

I consider myself fortunate to be able to attend our national championship. As I was telling my wife the other day, this, in a golf sense, is my annual conference. I don't go to a lot of tournaments. I'm grateful that the USGA has given me a credential. The media tent has opened to bloggers like me, and now I'm a golf author, too.

I drove up from Virginia yesterday and listened to U.S. Open coverage the entire way. I heard most all of the media conferences: Tiger Woods, Adam Scott (recorded), Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald, Steve Stricker and more.

After winning the 1971 U.S. Open at Merion, Lee Trevino said, "I love Merion, and I don't even know her last name." I think all the players I listened to on the way here also want to love Merion, but she hasn't been that easy to get to know, especially with five-plus inches of rain falling on her since last Friday. This will be a very interesting U.S. Open, but they all are, aren't they?

I'm fearful of Thursday's forecast. This Merion doesn't need any more moisture.

I'll be getting my bearings today, getting out on the historic golf course where Jones and Dutra and Hogan and Trevino and Graham have walked and won, finding my way around the not-so-vast grounds and the media center. I'll be doing a lot of radio this week—at least a lot for me. I did a show late last night as I watched the San Antonio Spurs three-bomb the Miami Heat.

And I'll be blogging, of course.

There is a second book, by the way. It's in the works and will be out next year. I'm looking forward to telling you more about it when the time is right.

Remembering Francis Ouimet 100 Years Later

2013-06-11T20:11:00.001-04:00

IT'S THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF FRANCIS Ouimet's amazing playoff victory over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the 1913 U.S. Open. Ouimet, of course, was an amateur. Vardon and Ray were professionals, arguably the world's two best players of that time.

The Golf Channel's Al Tays wrote a long, fine piece that puts Ouimet's shocker into historical perspective. It's titled, "Remembering Ouimet: How his win changed U.S. golf." A taste:

Before there was Bobby Jones, there was Francis Ouimet.

Ouimet was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open. Others would soon follow – Jerome Travers in 1915, Chick Evans in 1916. World War I interrupted the tournament until 1919, and in 1923 the greatest amateur of all, Bobby Jones, won his first of four U.S. Opens (to go along with three British Opens, five U.S. Amateurs and one British Amateur).

Only 9 when Ouimet won the U.S. Open, Jones later admitted he was inspired by the feat. “That is the first golf I remember reading about in the papers,” Jones wrote in his 1927 book, “Down the Fairway,” “and I began to feel that this was a real game.”

If you love golf history, settle into a comfortable chair and read the whole thing.

World No. 1 Inbee Park Is on Major Roll

2013-06-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

Inbee Park (Allison)

INBEE PARK WON HER THIRD MAJOR and second in a row in a playoff on Sunday at the Wegmans LPGA Championship. With four wins this season, two of them majors, the 24-year-old South Korean is burning up the circuit.

Golfweek's Beth Ann Baldry reported:

The last time a Grand Slam buzz surrounded a World No. 1 was back in 2005, when Annika Sorenstam headed into the U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills looking to make history. Sorenstam came up short that year, but Inbee Park has earned the chance to pull off the grandest of Grand Slams.

Park's playoff victory at the Wegmans LPGA Championship on Sunday makes her two-for-two in 2013 majors. Any other year she'd be halfway home to the coveted Slam. But this year, it's harder than ever to accomplish the feat. This year, there are five trophies to collect.

"I just love playing in major championships," said Park, who has won three of them.

The next major is the U.S. Women's Open at the end of June, followed by the Ricoh Women's British Open and The Evian Championship.

Ben Hogan's Miracle Comeback at Merion

2013-06-10T21:49:00.007-04:00

When Ben Hogan turned up at Merion Golf Club for the 1950 U.S. Open just 16 months after a near-fatal automobile accident, Cary Middlecoff called him "a walking miracle." Following is a short excerpt from my book (THE LONGEST SHOT: Jack Fleck, Ben Hogan, and Pro Golf's Greatest Upset at the 1955 U.S. Open) that tells about Hogan's agonizing 36-hole Saturday (the third and fourth rounds were played on the final day until 1965), his famous 1-iron shot and the Sunday playoff.

[Ben] Hogan arose at 5:30 a.m. to prepare himself for his 9:30 a.m. tee time. By noon, cramps again viciously attacked his legs. The hobbled champion gamely played on, finishing with a 72 that left him 2 behind leader [Lloyd] Mangrum with 18 holes to go. When Mangrum and others fell back on the outward 9, Hogan took the lead. The pain in his legs had become so acute that his caddie took his ball out of the hole and playing partner Middlecoff marked his ball at times. On the 12th tee, Hogan reached out and grabbed an arm to keep from falling after hitting his drive.

"I thought he was going to collapse," Middlecoff said.

By the time he reached the 72nd hole, Hogan had surrendered his three-shot lead and needed a par on the challenging 448-yard finishing hole to get into a playoff with Mangrum and George Fazio. He hit a solid drive in the fairway but still faced a wood or long iron shot from a slight downhill lie to the 18th green. The fairway was lined by thousands of spectators as he reached for his 1-iron, a difficult club to play under the best of circumstances. The Hawk made perfect contact. Directly behind Hogan, Hy Peskin, who had set his camera on a spectator's shoulder, snapped one of golf's most famous photographs. As the masses craned their necks, Hogan's 1-iron shot rocketed through the air and landed safely on the distant green, stopping 40 feet left of the cup. He limped up the rise to the putting surface and surveyed his long putt. His first effort was too strong, leaving a nervous four-footer. He took little time and holed his par to tie Mangrum and Fazio.

(Courtesy of Golf Channel)

The next day, against all reasonable odds, Hogan won the 18-hole playoff and was crowned national champion. Penalized two shots on the 16th green, Mangrum posted a 73. Fazio had a disappointing 75. The Hawk shot a 69.

Hogan had completed what some considered to be the greatest comeback in the history of sports. A stone plaque in Merion's 18th fairway marks the spot where he struck the famous 1-iron shot. It was the last shot Hogan hit with the club, which, along with a pair of his shoes, was stolen moments after his playoff victory.

VIDEO: Ernie Els Predicts Good Scoring at Merion

2013-06-10T17:29:00.002-04:00

ERNIE ELS TALKS TO ESPN'S Michael Collins about what to expect at the 2013 U.S. Open.

Weather Forces U.S. Open Parking Changes

2013-06-10T17:00:00.002-04:00

BY USGA

DUE TO THE CURRENT WEATHER CIRCUMSTANCES, the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the temporary closure of parking lots that were scheduled to be used by spectators attending the 113th U.S. Open Championship at Merion Golf Club.

The Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) in Media, Pa., is closed to general spectators until further notice. All U.S. Open spectators should utilize the PPL Park (BLUE Lot) in Chester, Pa., where complimentary shuttle buses will transport spectators to and from Merion Golf Club and will run continuously from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

Spectators are also encouraged to utilize one of the two convenient transportation options provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), using the Regional Rail and the Norristown High Speed Line.

Visit SEPTA at www.septa.org for complete schedule, fare and station location information, or call Customer Service at (215) 580-7800.