Why the U.S. Open in the northeast is subject to so much rain

Having the U.S. Open in the northeast region of the country is a bad idea. And I say that as someone who was born and raised here.

In each of the last three northeast U.S. Opens, weather has wrought havoc on the tournament.

Four years ago, the finish at Bethpage Black was pushed to Monday as the Long Island track looked more like Woodstock upstate in 1969 than the fearsome Open host it was to be.

A couple of years ago, Congressional was hit by heat and rain, leaving the USGA and executive director Mike Davis with no choice but to leave the greens redone two years prior soft. Rory McIlroy tore up the place, winning by 8 shots at a record 16-under-par total.

Now Merion is getting pounded by rain. Tropical Storm Andrea dropped 4.5 inches or so last Friday, with Monday bringing another inch or two more. Rain on Thursday morning halted play for 3 hours, 34 minutes. Derecho-like conditions could take shape in the afternoon, leading to even more delays.

Starting to sense a pattern here? You should. And there's data to back it up.

In the northeast part of the country, June is one of the rainier months of golf season. August is slightly worse, with September way worse. In other words, a U.S. Open in this part of the country should come with the expectation of some rain -- maybe not 7-plus inches of rain in a one-week period, but some rain.