Us Open at Merion, what to expect?

[Matthew Petersen]

What's the over/under on Lefty's round this afternoon?  73?

Love Phil, but I'd go over. 73 would be respectable given everything we've seen this morning.

[Jason Thurman]

Jud, that line sounds about right to me. Maybe 72.5. Vegas could stand to make a killing on that one.

[Andy Hughes]

Having people stand four deep on top of an out bounds Line seems like an idiot move to me... Adam Scott just ricocheted one off someone's shins that ended up a yard OB on 15.

Anthony, are you suggesting he would have been in bounds if not for the spectator, or something else?

[mike_malone]

Joe "it's a par 3 course" Ogilvy just came through 7 on his back 9 of his second round at 11 over

[Phil McDade]

Given the current playing conditions, and general toughness of the course, did Billy Horschel just shoot one of the best rounds (say, top 10)in US Open history? He shot 67, hit all 18 greens, and has the best round of the day so far by three strokes.

I'll concede Miller's 63 at Oakmont, Jack and Weiskopf's  63s at Baltusrol, and.....

It may have been better than Graham's 67 in the last round at Merion in 1981.

[Ben Sims]

Given the current playing conditions, and general toughness of the course, did Billy Horschel just shoot one of the best rounds (say, top 10)in US Open history? He shot 67, hit all 18 greens, and has the best round of the day so far by three strokes.

I'll concede Miller's 63 at Oakmont, Jack and Weiskopf's  63s at Baltusrol, and.....

It may have been better than Graham's 67 in the last round at Merion in 1981.

Certainly one of the most impressive ball striking rounds in modern memory.  34 non-putts, 18 GIR's.  But 33 putts really isn't all that impressive from a statistical perspective. But a damn impressive round to be sure. He's two holed putts--out of many close ones--away from the 36-hole lead. Actually, I wouldn't bet against him being the leader come 8pm

[Jud_T]

Ben,

He said he was happy with 20-25 feet all day and figured he'd drop a couple so 33 putts on those greens given 18 in reg. isn't so bad.  Looks like his strategy is paying off nicely.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Mark - how do you think Merion is muzzling players?

Not Merion but Merion's aura. I think they realize they would sound stupid criticizing a course that's stood the test of time and the logistics necessary to get them back there.

[BHoover]

I know that Merion's flagsticks are metal. Does anyone know what the wicker baskets are made of? Are they metal too?

[Mike Sweeney]

I know that Merion's flagsticks are metal. Does anyone know what the wicker baskets are made of? Are they metal too?

As the name implies, they are made of wicker:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicker

The are woven by the Merion staff.....

[Charlie Gallagher]

   Well, well, I am ready to admit that I overvalued the short length of Merion and undervalued the difficulty of solving its greens for the best on the planet.
     It's fun to see touring professionals have as much difficulty with the course as I have had at times. It is giving up the bogeys I thought it would, but fewer pars and birdies than I expected. The finish of round two and the final 36 plus any additional that might need to be played is going to be compeling to watch. I expect everyone is having as much fun as I am watching this unfold.
Love hearing from the GCAers along Ardmore Ave.