US Open 2013: Tiger Woods favourite as Merion braced for rain
The 113th US Open gets under way at Merion near Philadelphia on Thursday with thunderstorms and high winds forecast to hamper the first round.
The iconic East course was hit by heavy rain on Monday and organisers are braced for up to three inches more.
"It depends on what hits or how unlucky we are," said event chief Mike Davis.
Tiger Woods is the favourite to secure a first major title since 2008 and will play with 2011 champion Rory McIlroy and Masters winner Adam Scott.
Merion is hosting the US Open for the fifth time in its history but the first since 1981, after which it was thought to be too short for the modern game and the expanding infrastructure needed at a major tournament.
At 6,996 yards, Merion is the first US Open venue under 7,000 yards since Shinnecock Hills in 2004. Its unique blend of short and long holes, narrow fairways, thick rough and challenging greens offer its main defence, requiring precision off the tee and an in-form wedge game.
Some fear the short layout, softened by rain, could see the tournament-record round of 63 threatened, but Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell disagrees.
"I think they're underestimating it," said the 2010 US Open champion.
"I think there's 10 or 11 holes on this course that are as tough as any US Open I've seen. The last five holes, I can't think of a tougher finish at a US Open."
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