Kiss guitarist gives Merion skinny to ’05 U.S. Open champ Campbell

Local knowledge at a major championship is always useful, even if it comes from a person who paints their face a couple-hundred days each year.

Kiss lead guitarist Tommy Thayer has some experience at Merion, site of the 2013 U.S. Open, and he's also buddies with 2005 U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell. Campbell has never seen Merion and was not too familiar with the four prior U.S. Opens at the club.

The Kiss ax man and Kiwi had a conversation about how to get around the Philadelphia-area club, according to an article on iseekgolf.com.

“He told me that it was a really tricky golf course and that you need to hit the ball straight and have a good short game," Campbell said. "He was giving me some good tips. The strength of my game is my iron play and he said that is what you need to play Merion well. It is similar to Pinehurst in that regard.”

Campbell prevailed at Pinehurst No. 2 eight years ago, and the Open will return to the track again next year, albeit after an impressive redesign by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

The 44-year-old has two years remaining on the 10-year exemption he received for his lone major win.