ARDMORE, Pa. — Heavy rain closed Merion’s East Course for practice-round play a couple of times yesterday, including late in the afternoon when it rained hardest.
The biggest problem is the 11th hole, the lowest-lying hole on the course, which looked to be completely flooded. But USGA officials said they do not expect to be forced into a contingency plan.
The course, which took on about 3 1/2 inches of rain on Friday and more yesterday, is saturated, but the rain is forecast to subside until Thursday, when the opening round tees off.
“After the rain [yesterday], it’s going to be very sloppy now,” Ernie Els said. “You’re not going to see a firm U.S. Open this year, I’m sorry. I don’t care if they get helicopters flying over the fairways, it’s not going to dry up. We’re going to have a soft golf course this week — all week.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.