U.S. Open 2013: How Merion is set up for Sunday
Here's a look at everything you need to know about how Merion is playing for Sunday's final round of the U.S. Open from Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director.
WEATHER FORECAST (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.
GREEN SPEEDS
The final round's green speeds are in the 13- to 13½-foot range on the USGA Stimpmeter.
.
FAIRWAY AND ROUGH
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
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 – 340 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.
PIN PLACEMENTS
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE U.S. OPEN AT MERION.