As one of the shortest courses in modern Major history, Merion’s main defence is its long rough and narrow fairways.
As such, the USGA were praying for hot weather that would bake the turf and make it incredibly firm and bouncy, thus putting a premium on shotmaking and taking the driver out of the equation.
Unfortunately, a recent front of horrific weather spoiled their preparation and flooded two of the holes.
Even more unfortunately, the torrential rain seems to be here to stay.
Indeed, the latest weather forecast indicates a thunderstorm is likely this evening, with a 90 per cent chance of heavy precipitation.
And it is set to continue – further rain is expected both Friday and Sunday. This is bad news for the USGA, but great for the likes of Rory McIlroy, who, incredibly, admitted in a press conference that he prefers soft courses.
Cover your eyes, USGA, it isn't looking pretty...
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