I Can Only Imagine

It's moving day at the U.S. Open.  It's an exciting day in the world of golf, where players seeking to add their name to the roll of the greatest players of all time, try to position themselves for when the tournament really starts: Sunday afternoon.

The story before the tournament started was the golf course.  Merion, playing at under 7000 yards, was too short to challenge today's players.  The players would make more birdies than a U.S. Open course should allow.  It would be like the Whatever Open wherever they're playing this week.

Merion has done her part to provide a memorable tournament.  The golf course has allowed only two players under par through two rounds.  The course has been softened by hard rains, not the fast, firm, tawny course the USGA likes.  Imagine what the scores would be if there were no rain.  Imagine the speed of the greens that they aren't making putts on now, if the skies hadn't opened early in the week.

Merion has provided quality champions in it's prior Major championships.  Chick Evans won a U.S. Amateur, part of the legacy that lead to a scholarship program.  Bobby Jones won two majors there, closing out a Slam in 1930.  Ben Hogan hit a one-iron shot for the ages to earn an Open win.  Lee Trevino snaked out a championship in a playoff with Jack Nicklaus.  David Graham didn't have the highest quality career, but proved worthy with 18 fairways, 18 green in regulation in the final round.

I can imagine the type of champion emerging from this weekend.  A veteran, playing tremendous golf from near the lead.  At this point, could have Phil Mickelson's name written all over it.   Billy Horschel's 67 yesterday, when the field's scoring average was over 75, was highest quality, but it wasn't the final rounds.

I still believe the golf course will win, because it usually does at the Open.  Merion has a way of providing an enertaining Open, and a playoff is not out of the question.  Today should be an exciting day of golf, worth the time to watch.  Probably the last time for vernerable Merion, but it will be a memorable ending.

Wonder who the Open will win this year.

So...am I off base?