Ran, you can blame me - Merion is up next...

[Mike Sweeney]

GCA favorite.

Merion has Bobby Jones (for the traditionalist), Tom Fazio  , David Graham (Aussies are defending champs at Merion), Chris Patton (for the fat guys on GCA  ), 130 acres, and is <7000 yards.

Tiger wins because he is soooo pissed off about the penalty!

[Bill McKinley]

60 days away! Can't wait. Somehow I don't see Tiger winning there but I'd have a hard time putting my money on anybody else, if that makes any sense. 

[Ronald Montesano]

Tiger only wins Opens on public-access courses (TP, PB and BPB)

[Bill Brightly]

I don't know if Tiger will win, but I think the set up favors him. They will take the driver our of the players hands on many holes, and that is an advantage to Tiger, a disadvantage to the great long drivers.

[Peter Pallotta]

The experts around here may/will disagree with me, but in the eyes of an average joe (me), Merion's architecture and design will be very hard-pressed to compete with what we just saw at Augusta, both in theory and in practice. And just visually it will read/scan poorly in comparison, the seams of change (the nips and tucks of renovations and set-ups) showing much more obviously there than they do at Augusta.  

Peter

[Matthew Rose]

I'm looking forward to it. For all that is written about Merion, here and elsewhere, I've never really seen much of it at all.

I haven't been this excited about an Open venue in many years.

[Mike Sweeney]

The experts around here may/will disagree with me, but in the eyes of an average joe (me), Merion's architecture and design will be very hard-pressed to compete with what we just saw at Augusta, both in theory and in practice. And just visually it will read/scan poorly in comparison, the seams of change (the nips and tucks of renovations and set-ups) showing much more obviously there than they do at Augusta.  

Peter

I would have to agree. Augusta has a huge advantage in that they get to make relatively small changes every year to tournament conditions. It is amazing how great the Sunday Back 9 at Augusta is almost every year.

[Adam Clayman]

No shout out to the Italians? Molinari won the last major there. Didn't he?

[archie_struthers]

 

I think it's a great venue for Snedeker , or maybe Zach Johnson,  don't think it's great spot for Tiger . 

[David Stewart]

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I am curious as to how they will send off the field for the first two rounds. Obviously the first tee will be used, but with the 10th tee being several hundred yards from the clubhouse, will they employ a strategy similar to that used at Olympic last year? The 11th is closer to the clubhouse and would perhaps disrupt play less. 14 is of course right next to the clubhouse but I can't imagine them sending them off so late in the 9. Anyone have any knowledge of this situation or how it has been handled in the past? If not, any educated guesses?

[Joe Bausch]

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I am curious as to how they will send off the field for the first two rounds. Obviously the first tee will be used, but with the 10th tee being several hundred yards from the clubhouse, will they employ a strategy similar to that used at Olympic last year? The 11th is closer to the clubhouse and would perhaps disrupt play less. 14 is of course right next to the clubhouse but I can't imagine them sending them off so late in the 9. Anyone have any knowledge of this situation or how it has been handled in the past? If not, any educated guesses?

I seem to remember hearing they will use the 10th tee, gaining access to it via the neighborhood street behind it.

[Rich Goodale]

Some dork will win at Merion now that the powers that be have neutered that remarkable course too.  I'd put my money on TE Paul, if he were not (malheursement......) not still in the game....

[David Stewart]

Joe,

I did some searching and I think you are right. From this article, it sounds like all players will come from the locker room/practice range on the West course to the East via a driveway off the 10th tee. The article makes it seem like those going off of #1 will even take this route.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-20/sports/33273348_1_rick-ill-merion-officials-merion-golf-club

[Cory Lewis]

According to the USGA Spectator Guide for the Open, they are starting groups off of #11.

http://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/TicketsFunnel/FINAL2013USOpenSpectatorInformationGuide.pdf

[JMEvensky]

Some dork will win at Merion now that the powers that be have neutered that remarkable course too.  I'd put my money on TE Paul, if he were not (malheursement......) not still in the game....

TEP not in the game? TEP transcends the game.

[David Stewart]

According to the USGA Spectator Guide for the Open, they are starting groups off of #11.

http://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/TicketsFunnel/FINAL2013USOpenSpectatorInformationGuide.pdf

I trust this directly from the USGA. Maybe that article was incorrect in saying they come to the course via a driveway near the 10th. However that may still be the quickest way if Ardmore is completely shut down to all traffic, but it would seem odd that they wouldn't start on 10. Perhaps they need to go check in at the clubhouse first???