Rory McIroy runs away and hides from field: Your U.S Open Champ

McIlroy drinks from Cup/Courtesy: rorymcilroy-twitter

((ht: Washington Post))

Rory McIroy didn't waste a lot of time exercising the demons from his final round 80 at the Masters by pretty much obliterating the entire field at this weekends U.S Open golf tournament at the Congressional Country Club in suburban Washington D.C

McIlroy, shot a 4 round total of 16 Under Par, taking 268 strokes to walk away with an 8 stroke victory in the tournament one which he was neither pressured or challenged in. He also re-affirmed to those who started questioning, he's possibly the best current golfer in the world.

The U.S Open Trophy/Courtesy: rory mcilroy-twitter

We'll spare you the wrap up details, you've probably read them already. But we will share that the 22-year old McIlroy is also one of the rising pantheon of Social Media savvy golfers. He posted quite a few updates since Sunday evenings win, taking photos of his celebration and posting them on Twitter, along with acknowledging the thousands of congratulatory messages he received.

Cindy Boren of the Washington Post, gives you a snapshot of those posts RIGHT HERE

We hope that McIlroy's win begins to usher in a new reign in Professional Golf. While the "Tiger" (yes, him) era fueled the huge growth curve for golf on pretty much all levels, his days as "King of the Hill" are pretty much over.

McIlroy is part of the next wave, the European invasion, if you will, that will be driving forces in golf for the next several years. The U.S, while hoping for another breakout star, hasn't had one in several years. When the debate is over "Who's the best U.S golfer, Matt Kuchar or Steve Stricker?", then you've got problems. And that is not meant to disparage either golfer, but they aren't going to move the Nielsen needle...at all.

So to you, Mr. U.S Golfing fan, we say, "Get used to it" because McIlroy, Luke Donald and other who are currently dominating Pro Golf leader boards aren't going away any time soon.

Your final round U.S Open Highlights, courtesy: SI.com

NBC Runs A Different Pledge Of Allegiance...

((HT: Golf Channel on NBC/USGA/youtube))

There are a few things you really shouldn't do as part of a patriotic broadcast element that's your open for the last round of a golf major...

Like leave out words from the Pledge of Allegiance...

Twice...


Dan Hicks got to read the following on-air apology...
"It was our intent to begin our coverage of this U.S. Open championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being here in our nation's capital for the third time. Regrettably, a portion of the pledge of allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone and we'd like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it."

Broadcast fail... and the HQ wonders what, if anything, will happen to the producer that let this fly...

More if there's more...

PGA Tour Golfers attempt to go viral

And because there a zillion bloggers just like us who will post it, they'll probably be successful.

PGA Tour Golfers Ben Crane, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan have apparently participated in and made one of the perhaps cheeziest, god-awful video's we've ever seen.

The quartet, participate in what can only hopefully be characterized as a spoof of a boy-band video. None of the 4 actually appear to have any singing or dancing ability, but that really shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

We are reasonably certain, this was made--professionally so, in order to attract attention with the hope of it going viral.

With the U.S Open starting on Thursday, we're game and will post it. Enjoy in all it's bizarreness, courtesy of bencranegolf:

BREAKING Tiger Woods Will Not Play In The U.S. Open

Tiger Woods has made it official, he will not play in the U.S. Open.

"Not playing in US Open. Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain." Woods tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

It's the first time Tiger has missed the U.S. Open as a pro. 1993 was the last U.S. Open that didn't include Tiger Woods.

Tiger has been battling knee and achilles issues all year long. Remember Woods had to withdraw from the Players Championship last month after nine holes because of injury.

This will probably cost NBC some ratings points with golf's biggest draw sitting this major championship out.

You have to wonder if Tiger Woods will compete in any majors this summer or just shut it down. The HQ never thought it would mention Eric Gagne, Brady Anderson, and Eldrick in the same sentence.

Your US Golf Championship Flashback

The HQ isn't sure we can mention the tournament, starting today at Pebble Beach, by name without drawing the ire of the USGA...

So, in that vein, here's a flashback from two years ago on the coolest tourney in recent memory. The one that took 91 holes to complete with Rocco Mediate and some guy named Tiger...

First, the comeback in Round Three...
((HT: NBC/USGA/Monty8))


Then, the playoff in the playoff...
((HT: NBC/USGA/A-Channel/tightlaces))

Romo One Step Closer To US Open

((HT: ESPNDallas.com- Watkins))

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is one step closer to qualifying for golfing version of the U.S. Open on Thursday night.

He shot a 2-under 69 for 18 holes, and was tied with three others for the last three spots at The Honors Golf Club Dallas in Carrollton, Texas. The local regional took the top seven golfers and alternates.

Romo parred the three holes in the playoff to advance. The next step is a USGA Sectional qualifying round June 7th at the Carlton Woods course in The Woodlands, Texas.

The U.S. Open is June 14th-20th at Pebble Beach.

Here's the Romo postgame, thanks to espndallas.com

Looks like Tiger will be in the US Open

For those who are interested in such things. Reports out of the Monterey area are saying that everyone's favorite golfing punchline is aiming towards playing at the U.S Open in June. He has submitted the required entry form which all players who don't have to qualify must do in order to be able to play at Pebble Beach.

The story from the Monterey County Herald RIGHT HERE

As most of you already know, Woods announced after his 2010 Masters appearance that he was not sure of when he would return to Tournament golf. We now have an idea when that will be. There is no way to be sure which if any tournaments he plays before Golf's second major begins June 17th, that we will have to stay tuned for.

((Tiger Woods//Courtesy: al.com))

We understand that Woods pulled nothing short of an amazing 4 days of golf at Augusta, there are precious few people in the world who could take 5 months off from the game and endure the PR beating that he took then emerge to finish 4th in a major event.

While we suspect that there will be a certain amount of hoopla based on his appearance at the Open, we highly doubt that it will garner the same scrutiny that he got at Augusta. Again, the Open is a Golfing Major, so there will be less access for the tabloid media and others to potentially grill him. We have some time, so we will wait and see how this plays out.

In the meantime, enjoy one of the countless parody's of Tiger's newest commercial...only this one has audio of the Christian Bale movie rant from a couple of years ago. *****WARNING*****NSFW***** (Bad language)

**********(Not Safe for Work)************************

Lucas Glover Wins At Bethpage

((HT: NBCSports/USGA))

We're just going to toss to the highlights...
Good for Lucas Glover...

Here's Jennifer Mills, Bill Patrick, and Brian Crowell...

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

US Open Flashback ((The Golf Kind))

With the 2009 version kicking off tomorrow at Bethpage Black, here's last year's remarkable playoff recap between Rocco Mediate and some guy named Woods...

SVP and Andy North run it down...

((HT: ESPN/USGA/NBC))