Ardmore, Pennsylvania · Parkland
5 major championships hosted since 1934
Established
1912
Designer
Hugh Wilson
Par
70
Championship Yardage
6,996 yds
Merion Golf Club's East Course in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, proves that length is not everything. At under 7,000 yards it remains one of the toughest U.S. Open tests, defended by wicker-basket flagsticks, tight fairways, deep bunkers (“the white faces of Merion”) and a fearsome closing stretch.
Merion is woven through golf history: Bobby Jones completed the Grand Slam here in 1930, Ben Hogan struck his famous 1-iron on the 72nd hole in 1950, and Justin Rose won the 2013 U.S. Open at 1-over par.
Lowest scoring marks recorded in major championship competition at Merion Golf Club.
Course Record (round)
63
Major rounds
Lowest 72-Hole Total
281 (+1)
Justin Rose, 2013
First Major Hosted
1934
Total Majors Hosted
5
Every major championship staged at Merion Golf Club, by championship and year.
| Championship | Times | Years |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | 5 | 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013 |
Defining rounds and championship moments in the history of Merion Golf Club.
Bobby Jones won the U.S. Amateur at Merion to complete the only Grand Slam, all four major titles of his era in one year.
Sixteen months after a near-fatal car crash, Ben Hogan hit a 1-iron to the 72nd green and won an 18-hole playoff — immortalized in Hy Peskin's photograph.
Lee Trevino tossed a rubber snake on the tee, then beat Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff for the U.S. Open.
David Graham played a near-flawless final round, hitting every fairway but one, to win the U.S. Open.
Justin Rose won at 1-over 281 as Merion's old bones held up against modern power.
Its tight fairways, penal rough, deep bunkers, small greens and demanding finishing holes make it a supreme test despite its modest length — Justin Rose won the 2013 U.S. Open at over par.
Instead of flags, Merion's flagsticks are topped with woven wicker baskets, a unique tradition that hides wind direction from players.
Bobby Jones completed his 1930 Grand Slam there, and Ben Hogan hit his legendary 1-iron on the 18th in 1950.