Wow. Just when you thought you had seen it all, we’ve got a Monday playoff at the U.S. Open to add to an already unbelievable week. The tournament came down to both players in the final pairing staring down birdie putts within 15 feet on the 18th green to try and force a playoff with the leader already in the clubhouse. When one made it, you can bet a lot of afternoon meetings were cancelled and “doctor’s appointments” scheduled because it’s not often you get this type of drama on a Monday afternoon.
Torrey Pines is turing out to be a spectacular host venue for the U.S. Open. Players are singing its praises as a stern, FAIR test of golf. Round 2 had many FJ players positioning themselves to make a run on the weekend. Here are some select shots from Friday. Enjoy!
The U.S. Open never fails to produce a few surprise guys that make a splash in the early rounds. This year, those few players are Kevin Streelman and Justin Hicks and they hold the first round lead after shooting 3-under par 68s. San Diego did not disappoint as the players had wonderful conditions in which to play. We have been keeping our eyes peeled for great shots from Torrey Pines and we are happy to share them with you. Leave us a comments and let us know what you think!
Kevin Streelman find himself atop the leaderboard after the first round of the U.S. Open (co-leader with Justin Hicks). Kevin shares his thoughts on dealing with the typical Open conditions and pressure.
We caught up with Steve Stricker to get his thoughts on the year’s second major. “Strick” gives his thoughts on Torrey Pines and what he feels he needs to do to be successful this week.
[by Rob Kelley, Director of Brand Marketing - FootJoy]
Another 97 degree day is forecast for the first round of the 2008 AJGA FootJoy Invitational at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC. This tremendous event attracts 99 of the top junior players in the world representing 9 different countries.
Sedgefiled CC is steeped in history. A Donald Ross design, Sedgefield CC was the original home of the Greater Greensboro Open and hosted the event for 26 years. In 2007, a major restoration process took the course back to its original Donald Ross design, but added over 400 yards stretching it to more than 7,100 yards. This August, the PGA Tour will return to Sedgefield for the Wyndham Championship. Another cool fact: the Wyndham Championship will be the only Donald Ross designed course played on the PGA Tour this year. Click here to find out more on Sedgefield CC.
I have to give you a little insight as to the quality of these Junior players. Of the 99 competitors in the field, 49 have already committed to Division 1 colleges. The balance of this group are primarily High School underclassmen who are evaluating their future options. Yesterday, I had the honor of playing with Cory Whitsett of Houston, TX in the Junior-Am event. Cory is the #2 ranked Junior, and just a Sophomore in High School. I was brave enough to play with Cory from the tips (note: this event is played from the same tees as the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship). Among my friends back home, I’m considered a “long” player. Yesterday, I rarely hit my driver as far as Cory’s 3-wood. Cory is LONG. He’s a gifted young player who hits his 7 iron 200 yards and nearly jarred a 247 par 3 with a hybrid. More imporantly, Corey is truly a wondeful person and was a pleasure to play with. He remained very patient watching me and my playing partners struggle through this outstanding and challenging layout. As an eight handicap, I carded an 88 and walked away truly impressed with both the venue Sedgefield CC offers and the 99 outstanding AJGA players who will challenge its PGA Tour layout.
I would encourage you to follow the 2008 AJGA FootJoy Invitational through their live scoring site:
Taiwan native and FJ wearer Yani Tseng became the first rookie in 10 years to win a major, besting Maria Hjorth with a birdie on the fourth hole of an all-FJ playoff at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship. Tseng, a 19-year-old with a decorated amateur career, closed with a 4-under 68 to match Hjorth at 12-under 276. Tseng becomes the second-youngest woman to win a major.
Yani dialed in a pair of ReelFit shoes for her big win, while Maria wore a pair of limetta and white MyJoys. Check out women’s ReelFit or start customizing your own pair of shoes at MyJoy.com.
Lorena Ochoa, who had hopes of a third straight major, birdied two of the last three holes for a 71 and finished one shot out of the playoff.
FootJoy was the shoe of choice at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship with 52% of players, compared to 19 for the nearest competitor.
Jeev Milkha Singh posted 18 consecutive pars for a closing 71 and a three-round winning total of 15-under 198 at the weather-shortened Bank Austria Golf Open presented by Telekom Austria. It was Singh’s third career European Tour title. The win (and € 216,660 pay day) vaults him to 9th position on the European Tour’s Order of Merit.
Jeev Milkha laced up a pair of DryJoys golf shoes for his walk to victory. His Sunday style of choice was the black smooth, black grain and platinum accent style #53523. Learn more about FLEXTABILITY at our DryJoys microsite.
FootJoy was the overwhelming shoe leader at the Bank Austria Golf Open with 63% of players (nearest competitor 21%).
When the world watches the U.S. Open this year from Torrey Pines, we want to make sure our FootJoy players stand out from the crowd. That’s why we’ve created some exclusive products for our players so they can not only fly the nation’s colors but look their best as they chase the championship. Check out the slideshow to see some sweet new FJ products that will make their debut on the first tee at Torrey Pines. You might even catch a glimpse of some products in the upcoming 2008-2009 FootJoy line…
We asked several of our Tour players what life lessons they learned from their father through the game of golf. Click on the image below to hear their responses.
Click on the picture above to hear a Father’s Day message from FootJoy players on the PGA Tour.
Taiwan native and FJ wearer Yani Tseng became the first rookie in 10 years to win a major, besting Maria Hjorth with a birdie on the fourth hole of an all-FJ playoff at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship. Tseng, a 19-year-old with a decorated amateur career, closed with a 4-under 68 to match Hjorth at 12-under 276. Tseng becomes the second-youngest woman to win a major.
Jeev Milkha Singh posted 18 consecutive pars for a closing 71 and a three-round winning total of 15-under 198 at the weather-shortened Bank Austria Golf Open presented by Telekom Austria. It was Singh’s third career European Tour title. The win (and € 216,660 pay day) vaults him to 9th position on the European Tour’s Order of Merit.
