Merion Golf Club's East Course ranks seventh in the nation among America's top classic golf courses, according to Golfweek's 2026 rankings, and the Ardmore venue will host the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship starting Monday, Aug. 10.

Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, tied for 157th on the same list with a score of 6.77 out of 10, will co-host the tournament's stroke play qualifying rounds on Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The Golfweek rankings, published June 8, rate classic courses — defined as layouts that opened before 1960 — on a 10-point scale based on evaluations from hundreds of panelists who have played the courses within the past decade. Merion East scored 8.96, holding the No. 7 spot for the second consecutive year.

Only six courses in the country scored higher: Pine Valley in New Jersey (9.65), Cypress Point in California (9.64), Augusta National (9.55), National Golf Links of America in New York (9.25), Shinnecock Hills (9.21), and Oakmont Country Club (9.06). Merion East also ranks second among all private courses in Pennsylvania, behind only Oakmont.

Jack Nicklaus once said of the 126-acre course, "Acre for acre, it may be the best test of golf in the world."

Hugh Wilson designed the East Course, which opened Sept. 14, 1912. It has hosted more USGA championships than any other course in America. The 2026 U.S. Amateur will be its 20th. Merion has also hosted five men's U.S. Opens, most recently in 2013, and the U.S. Open is scheduled to return in 2030, followed by the U.S. Women's Open in 2034.

The 126th U.S. Amateur

The field is massive. A total of 312 players will compete in 36 holes of stroke play on Aug. 10 and Aug. 11, split between Merion East and Philadelphia Country Club. The field will be cut to 64 for five days of match play beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12, all at Merion. The tournament drew 5,111 entries this year.

Mason Howell, the 2025 champion, returns to defend his title. Television coverage begins with the Round of 64 on Aug. 12 on Peacock, NBCSN, and NBC.

Merion's East Course is known for its wicker basket flagsticks, 131 Scottish-style bunkers, and a strict walking-only policy. No carts are allowed except for medical necessity, and there are no yardage markers anywhere on the course.

Getting there

Spectators can take SEPTA to Ardmore Avenue Station, steps from the club's entrance, according to Visit Philadelphia. Limited parking is available at Villanova University with shuttle service to the course.

Match play runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.