Els’ forecast for soggy Merion: Plenty of birdies

ARDMORE, Pa. – The East Course at Merion Golf Club is short by U.S. Open standards. It’s also soggy from continued rains. With the skill of golfers to stick shots on soft greens, that could put birdies aplenty in the forecast.

“You’re not going to see a firm U.S. Open this year, I’m sorry,” two-time Open champion Ernie Els said Monday. “I don’t care if they get helicopters flying over the fairways. It’s not going to dry up.”

The course is 6,996 yards. It’s the first U.S. Open course under 7,000 yards in length since Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, N.Y., which also played at 6,696 in 2004.

Last week Merion was drenched by Tropical Storm Andrea. More rain, heavy at times, fell Monday during practice rounds. The Weather Channel predicted scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for Tuesday. It said there is a 70% chance of rain for Thursday’s opening round. The rain is forecast to stop Friday through Sunday, but Els doesn’t expect the course to harden quickly.

“We’re going to have a soft course this week all week,” said Els, who will make his 21st start in the Open. “It means that if you’re on your game, you’re going to have a lot of birdie putts.”

Though Els expects the pins to be placed in difficult positions to protect the course, he also said, “You’re going to see a lot more birdies that ever at U.S. Open venues.”

The lowest round ever in the U.S. Open is 63. That was done by Johnny Miller (1973), Tom Weiskopf (1980), Jack Nicklaus (1980) and Vijay Singh (2003).

How about a 62 this week?

“Anything can happen … but I’m not going to say anybody is going to shoot a 62 at the U.S. Open,” Els said.

Though the course is short and soggy, Els noted the rough is thick at Merion (“very penal”) and that the greens are tricky, the par-3s are tough and the finishing 18th hole is a true test.

“If you’re on your game, I think a guy could get a score going,” Els said. “I’m not going to say a 62, though.”