11
Numerous changes
were required to
prepare Merion East
for the US Open
toughest test, and so the winning score of a US Open is
watched more closely than that of any other tournament.
Marzolf is confident that the golf course will hold up
to the assault of today’s professionals, though, as Rory
McIlroy proved at Congressional two years ago, no course
is invulnerable if conditions are soft. This is why Matt
Shaffer and his team are going to unmatched lengths to
try and ensure firm conditions, but they still require the
collaboration of Mother Nature. “If it’s dry all week, and
firm, it wouldn’t surprise me if even to four under wins,
but if it’s really wet and soft then it could be ten to fifteen
under,” says Marzolf. “But, whatever the winning score,
I’m confident that the new champion will have had to play
his very best golf, and I’m certain that every player in the
field will know he has had the privilege of competing on
one of America’s greatest courses.”
•
It’s great for the USGA to be
reintroducing this
wonderful
golf course
to a new
generation of players
Tom Marzolf, ASGCA
Fazio Golf Course Designers, Inc.
