Tiger Woods is still the favorite at Merion for the U.S. Open championship despite his poor play in his last tournament in the Players championship, but the biggest issue for the number one golfer and the field may end up being the weather during the weekend.
Rain and thunderstorms already hit the course over last weekend and flooded the greens, making things very slow to start and more rain could be on the way, prompting officials to come up with a backup plan just in case play is delayed. The USGA and other organizers were preparing for the worst on Thursday, as at least six inches of rain have come down since last week.
Merion is an iconic course and the rain is expected to wreak havoc on things depending on how bad it gets. The course uses many different types of weather predicting devices and radar and they will be prepared for when the weather comes. The greens and bunker areas could be the most affected, but many players are hoping for solid weather through the weekend.
Woods is still the favorite and his grouping of Adam Scott, Woods and Rory McIlroy will have a ton of attention going forward for the first two rounds. Woods did not fare well in his most recent start, languishing joint 65th in a field of 73 at the Memorial Tournament eight days ago, he has triumphed four times on the 2013 PGA Tour and is clearly the player to beat at Merion.
Though the iconic par-70 East Course drains very well, extra care has been taken over the location of pin positions on greens more susceptible to puddling while the safety of players and spectators has been paramount in contingency plans. The National Weather Service is tracking a derecho, a widespread and long-lived windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms, that is expected to hit the Philadelphia area on Thursday afternoon.
Woods was bitterly disappointed with his overall game at the Memorial Tournament, especially his putting, and was swift to outline what needed improving for Merion when asked by reporters. The par-70 layout located in the Philadelphia suburb of Ardmore has been stretched to 6,996 yards since Australian David Graham triumphed by three strokes in the 1981 edition, and Woods appreciates that precise shot-making is required for success.
"And not only are those devices here on-site at Merion, but they're actually spread out around Philadelphia," said Davis.
"Our meteorologist can look at what's happening west of here, north of here, south, east, and it really does give a great picture. We're quite comfortable with it."
Asked what precautions were being taken both on and off the course, Davis replied: "Outside the ropes ... we have done a lot to try to make muddy areas more passable, so that will continue.
"In some places we've even had to put down rock roads, certainly in parking lots where we're not on (tar) macadam.
"Inside the ropes it really is just trying to anticipate what you might get. If that means rebuilding bunkers, if that means pumping, that all goes into it."
Phil Mickelson, runner-up a record five times at the U.S. Open, visited Merion last week and was lavish with his praise for a layout that has thick rough, narrow, tilted fairways, deep bunkers, contoured greens and several semi-blind tee shots. Included in that long list of potential winners are Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia, Englishmen Justin Rose and Luke Donald, and in-form American Matt Kuchar, who clinched his sixth PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament.
Northern Irish world number two Rory McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open champion at Congressional, is another likely contender as he bids to claim his first tournament victory this season after winning five times worldwide last year.
(Reuters Quotes)