Guide To The 2013 U.S. Open Golf Championship
The 113th U.S. Open Golf Championship is slated to be played at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore from June 13 – 16 -- the first time since 1981 that the tournament hits our area. Hoping to get in on the action? Here's your guide.
What: For the first time in over 30 years, one of golf's "Big Four" events will be held in the Philly area. Practice rounds run from June 10-12 before the real thing kicks off on June 13th.
Where: The Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. – about 30 minutes outside Philadelphia. The historic course has hosted 17 USGA championships, more than any other course, since it opened in 1896.
When: Practice rounds run Monday, June 10th through Wednesday, June 12th. The U.S. Open begins on Thursday, June 13th and (if all goes well), finishes up on Father's Day (Sunday, June 16th).
Tournament History: Curious about the results from years past? Read more here.
Tickets: Sadly, tickets are sold out, though there are still some selling on third-party sites such as StubHub. Something to note though: Children 12 years old and younger are free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, and tickets for kids ages 13 to 17 years old are $15 for practice rounds and $35 for Championship rounds.
Schedule: Official starting times will be posted when they're available. In the meantime, here's a general schedule:
Practice Rounds
Players will have the option of starting practice rounds at the first or 11th tee. Players electing to play a full round generally begin between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is typical for players to be on the golf course or practice areas until at least 7 p.m.
Monday, June 10 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 11 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 12 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Championship Rounds 1 and 2
Play is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. from the first and 7:15 a.m. from the 11th tee. The last group will begin play at 2:42 p.m. from the first tee and 2:57 p.m. from the 11th tee.
Thursday, June 13 (first round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)
Friday, June 14 (second round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)
Championship Rounds 3 and 4
The first starting time will be determined by the number of players who make the cut at the conclusion of the second round (60 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 60th place). Generally, the first pairing begins play from the first tee between 8-9 a.m.; the last pairing for both days will start from the first tee at approximately 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 15 (third round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)
Sunday, June 16 (fourth round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)
Playoff
If there is a tie for the low score after 72 holes, an 18-hole playoff will be held on Monday, June 17. The playoff will begin at approximately noon and finish at approximately 4 p.m. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m.
Spectator Guide: Managed to score tickets to the U.S. Open? Lucky you! Here's a link to what you need to know.
Transportation: If you're driving, you should follow signs and directions from parking attendants to free general spectator parking at the Rose Tree Park Lot (RED Lot), located near I-476, or the PPL Park (BLUE Lot), located near I-95. Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided from both parking areas to and from Merion Golf Club.
Rather take public transportation? SEPTA will be offering two options for travel to/from the U.S. Open. If you want to take the train, you're advised to use the Paoli/Thorndale line to Rosemont Station. Free shuttle buses will be offered from Rosemont and should take about 10 minutes depending on traffic. Spectators can also take the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) to the Ardmore Avenue Station, which is walking distance from the course.
For more on transportation, click here and scroll down.
The American Express Merion Experience: If you can't get to the tournament but still want to partake in the fun, head to Independence Mall on Saturday, June 15th for the interactive American Express Merion Experience. Walk in the shoes of past champions and take your best shots at five replicated U.S. Open moments. Try out the Pressure Putt putting green, or attempt Merion's storied 13th hole with a swing simulator. Or, what about "Ben Hogan's 1-Iron Clincher," which lets visitors strike their best follow-through pose imitating Hogan's historic 1-iron approach to Merion's 18th green back in 1950? Plus, for each person who partakes in the Experience, American Express will be donating $5 to nonprofit The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia to help refurbish the Walnut Lane Golf Club's youth driving range facilities!
For more information on the 113th U.S. Open, visit the official website, www.usopen.com.
