June 8, 2013
We thought we had the USGA's modus operandi down. In picking a U.S. Open venue, officials would identify a huge property (Olympic Club, Congressional, Pinehurst), preferably public (Bethpage, Torrey Pines, Erin Hills) and on a coast (Pebble Beach, Shinnecock Hills, Chambers Bay). And then they would try to lure 50,000 spectators a day willing to shell out $35 for a baseball cap to help fatten the organization's coffers. But then along came Merion Golf Club, the Cameron...