Merion, Local Knowledge And Fiddlyness

The questions are a bit awkward, maybe even rude, but we scribblers inevitably ask players here at the Memorial to talk about the upcoming U.S. Open site even as they are preparing to tee it up on one of the PGA Tour's best courses and events.

That said...

What's emerging in player comments (and exciting) about the upcoming U.S. Open at Merion is just how important local knowlege may be, giving an even greater importance to scouting and intelligence.

Adam Scott has already played Merion twice and arrives there again next Thursday, but already he had the best comments this week and even rolled out a clever word to describe what he saw in his recent visit: fiddly. (Defined as "small and awkward to do or handle.")

From the transcript (which spells fiddly differently):

ADAM SCOTT:  It's a tough one.  I think it's a course that a lot of knowledge will go a long way.  I think as a member it's probably a really enjoyable course to play because you know the little bits and pieces of the course so well.

So somehow we need to learn that in about‑‑ for me I've played two rounds there.  I'm probably going to play another five.  So somehow in seven rounds, I need to have the local knowledge of a member who's played there for 40 years.

It's a great golf course.  It's a bit fiddley is what I've come to so far, but that opinion could change next time I play just because you don't see where the ball finishes off all your tee shots and there's camber on the fairways and some movement on the fairways that make it fiddley.

So the rough is thick and lush, and hopefully they get some good weather and it dries out.  It's going to be demanding.  There are opportunities out there, for sure.  But you have to hit good shots to give yourself those opportunities.  And then there are some very, very tough holes, too.