Bryn Mawr Eagle {l Wrote}:I was just invited to Sunday at Merion. I've never been to a golf tournament. Any tips on how best to view the proceedings? Stay in one spot or follow one of the lead groups?
ive got extensive experience but not at an open...i have heard theyre keeping attendence low for this one which is great for you...how i normally do it is this:
look at the pairings the night before and find someone in the am session that you really like who struggled through three rounds and is thus going of early and follow them for at least nine...then either continue with that group or hang out at a later hole 7-8-9-10 till another player you like whos struggling comes through and follow them for the back.
i really like that pattern because you get to see the whole course and then figure out which seating area you like best for when the later groups come through
for example:
2-3 years ago at TPC Boston (i go to this regularly but also have been to barclays and other ones): rory was one of the first off the tee (he was like +2 and the leaders were like -8) - followed him for 9 holes with a gallery of 10-15 people...he was chatting with the crowd, you really got to see how he and his caddy approched shots. it was really cool.
same deal with phil 1-2 years ago...followed him on the back 9 with a gallery of like 50 people and was 8 feet from him when he holed one from the rough on i want to say 12 from 150 out. it was awesome.
then keep in mind by the time you get back the top groups are usually teeing off or 2-3 holes into their round
then i just posted up at the cool par 3 on the back nine and let the top groups go through.
great days.