We took out 'Live From the Newsroom' out on the road last night to preview the U.S. Open.
I'm guessing we were about a couple of solid 4-irons from Merion at the Lamplighter Tavern. Owner Jack Quinn regaled us with some of the local lore surrounding the tournament, in particular how much it has changed since Jack first opened the doors about a month before the 1971 Open was contested on Merion's hallowed turf.
This morning the Open is back in Haverford for the first time since 1981. Quinn notes it's a much bigger extravaganza than it was back then, and that local businesses are hoping to cash in as well. The tournament is expected to push somewhere around $100 million in the local economy.
If you missed the show, you can catch the preview and replay here.
Our lead golf writer Tom McNichol and reporter Vince Sullivan gave us updates on everything both inside and outside the course.
McNichol likely holds the distinction of being the only journalist covering the Open who has been inside the ropes for an Open at Merion. That's because he's a former Merion caddy who actually had a bag in the 1981 Open. You can read that great yarn here.
Tom makes his predictions today. You can catch them here. Here's a hint. He likes Graham McDowell. I'm leaning toward Rory McIlroy, although I also hope my man Tiger is at least on the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon. Like him or not, it is simpy a different vibe when Tigers is lurking on Sunday afternoon.
Our thanks to Jack Quinn for hosting us last night. Stick with DelcoTimes.com for live Open coverage all weekend.
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