2013 U.S. Open Final Round Open Comment Thread
/The big finale is here--well we think--and an exciting group of combatants is aligned to push third round leader Phil Mickelson.
If the weather holds and a few of the more accessible hole locations prove accessible, it should be a grand finish to a special week.
Your leaderboard and starting times.
Course setup notes and hole locations to follow after the USGA feels television partners Golf Channel/ESPN has gotten enough of an exclusive head start sharing this apparently sacred information.
**Better late than never. In light of Shawn Stefani's ace, note the 17th hole commentary:
COURSE SETUP: ROUND 4 OF THE 2013 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The following are details on the course setup for Round 4 of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, from Mike Davis, USGA Executive Director.
Green Speeds – The final round’s green speeds are in the 13- to 13½-foot range on the USGA Stimpmeter.
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Fairway and Rough Grass – 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 Information:
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 – 490 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 – 290 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 – 229 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.
