Canadians look strong at Merion for US Am

Though it doesn't have the same profile it once did, the US Amateur is on this week. Th0ugh it only plays 6,800 yards from the tips, Merion in Philadelphia, which is hosting the tournament, is among the toughest golf courses in the world. While only half of the stroke play rounds were played at Merion (Philly Country Club played host to the other round), the match play will be held at Merion.
Worth noting that NCAA champ, and Canadian James Lepp has topped the leaderboard after shooting 65 at Philly Country Club. In fact there are seven Canadians among the top 48 who made it to the match play component on the tournament, a fairly remarkable accomplishment. The leaderboard can be found here.
I had the chance to play Merion in June and it was simply beastly, far tougher than Pine Valley, which is often regarded as one of the hardest golf courses in the world. It surely rivals Oakmont, which hosted the 2003 event. The fairways are narrow and the rough is long. The greens are devilish. Looks like it'll be a fun weekend.