Next week, Merion Golf Club will host its fifth U.S. Open. If the pattern from the last four holds, the winning score could rival the 16-under total Rory McIlroy shot to win the 2011 U.S. Open at a soggy Congressional C.C.
Take a look at the winning score from the prior Opens at Merion:
- 1934: Olin Dutra -- 293 (+13)
- 1951: Ben Hogan -- 287 (+7)
- 1971: Lee Trevino -- 280 (E)
- 1981: David Graham -- 273 (-7)
If there is a seven-shot improvement over the '81 U.S. Open, then 14-under 266 will win. USGA executive director Mike Davis said in a Golf Digest piece that could indeed happen.
"So if the course is soft, I'm thinking 14 under is the winning score this time around," Davis said. "But if it doesn't rain, if Matt gets it firm and fast for four straight days, then I think even par wins it."
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