The 113th U.S. Open will be held this week at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Millions of small boys dream of making a three-foot putt to win the U.S. Open trophy while practicing on the putting green.

The Masters signals the beginning of spring, has the tradition of Bobby Jones, but offers the smallest field of any major.

The Open Championship offers a diverse field from around the world, is played on some of the oldest courses on earth, but it is Europe’s major.

The PGA Championship brings together the best professionals for their championship.

The U.S. Open is the national championship of the United States. The best players in the world play on the PGA Tour in the United States.

It is played on some of the most historic and beautiful golf courses in the world. Shinnecock, Oakmont, Winged Foot, Congressional, as well as, Merion, have all hosted U.S. Opens.

It also visits outstanding public golf courses such as; Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst.

The USGA set up of a golf course deems in nearly impossible to play for the average golfer and extremely difficult for the top players to maneuver. Thick gnarly rough that requires a wedge to chip back to the fairway is not uncommon.

Lightning fast and firm greens that demand precise iron shots to stay on the putting surface are the norm. Severely undulating and fast conditions require a surgeon’s touch once a ball actually stays on the green.

Overly difficult golf course conditions separate the wannabes from the best golfers.

The U.S. Open has the history. Jones, Hogan and Nicklaus all won four U.S. Opens in their careers. Tiger Woods has won three and is trying to add his name to this group and also join Jones, Hogan, Trevino and Graham as winners at Merion Golf Club.

Over 9,800 entrants tried to earn one of the 57 spots available into the 2013 U.S. Open field through local and sectional qualifiers. The best amateurs and professionals alike competed against one another for a tee time at Merion this week.

There are very few free rides at the U.S. Open.

The U.S. Open provides only the best players, playing their best, performing on the best golf courses.

The U.S. Open is simply the best major championship.