U.S. Open tries to keep souvenirs affordable and

Golf fans won’t need to break the bank on a ticket to the U.S. Open at Oakmont to empty their wallets for the event’s merchandise.

Anyone hoping to get their hands on Open merchandise — without having to pay the entry fee for the practice rounds or the now sold-out championship rounds — can do so through Sunday at the championship’s 34,000-square foot merchandise pavilion located by the venue’s main entry between the second and third holes.

Another benefit of going now: shorter lines.

Crowds will start flowing in and out of the merchandise tent next week, creating long lines extending out the door and into the June heat, said Mary Lopuszynski, the managing director for merchandise operations with the USGA. U.S. Open golfers play practice rounds Monday through Wednesday before teeing up