Merion Golf Club, situated on the outskirts of Philadelphia, has been selected as host venue for the 2040 US Open, meaning that it will welcome the world’s top male golfers three times in the next 26 years.
The venue was already poised to host the 2030 US Open to mark the centenary of Bobby Jones’ completion of the Grand Slam as he added the US Open to his US Amateur, Open Championship and Amateur Championship titles, and then again in 2050, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Ben Hogan’s win.
Hogan’s second of four US Open victories came just over a year after suffering life-threatening injuries when his Cadillac collided with a bus, and his 1-iron shot on the 72nd hole was captured in what Sports Illustrated ranked as one of the greatest sports photographs of the 20th century.
Merion last hosted the US Open in 2013 when Justin Rose played the villain and denied Phil Mickelson his long-awaited triumph, and five US Open Championships in total have been held there.
“For well over a century, Merion has served as the site of some of American golf’s most iconic moments,” said John Bodenhamer, chief championships officer of the USGA. “Our relationship with the club and its membership continues to grow, and when we looked at our future lineup for the U.S. Open, we wanted to enhance our upcoming commitment with a more regular cadence. We are thrilled to be able to return to such an important club on a regular basis and look forward to watching the world’s best write new chapters in the history of this great game.”
In addition to the five US Opens, Merion has hosted six US Amateurs, four US Women’s Amateurs, two Curtis Cups and the 2009 Walker Cup that featured Niall Kearney and Tommy Fleetwood representing Great Britain and Ireland.
“Starting with its formation, the desire to host significant championships has been at Merion’s core,” said Buddy Marucci, Merion championship committee chair. “It is no wonder Merion has hosted more USGA championships than any other club in America. Our partnership with the USGA dates to its first decade and has produced some of the most memorable moments in golf history. We are thrilled to celebrate those moments by announcing an additional U.S. Open Championship to be played in the year 2040. We look forward to all future generations of the world’s best players having the opportunity to compete on Hugh Wilson’s timeless masterpiece.”
The 2030 Championship will be particularly interesting as the course, famously set on a small plot of land with no room for expansion given the built-up surrounds, was in increasing danger of becoming obsolete given distance gains, but will be played with the reduced-flight golf ball.
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