The US Open at the Olympic Club definitely proved to be golf's toughest test this past weekend. Maybe the PGA Tour was angered by Rory McIlroy tearing up the tournament last year, who knows. This year Webb Simpson out lasted the field by winning the US Open at a score of +1 and taking home his first PGA Tour major victory in the process. Interesting note, I have been reading that Simpson is unlikely to participate in the Open Championship in July because his wife is expecting their child. So going into the British Open, I'm doing my research and picking a golfer whose wife just recently gave birth within the month or is expecting within the month (Masters champion Bubba Watson had adopted a baby boy, Caleb, within the month when he won his first major). As with any visible sporting event, there are winners and there are losers. When it comes to branding, here is my brand winner and loser from the US Open.
Big Winner - Beau Hossler and University of Texas
Hossler is the 17 year old amateur who made a remarkable run at the Olympic Club and at one point, many thought could possibly be the champion. After a Sunday mini implosion, Hossler didn't even end up as the low amateur of the tournament. However, he had already made a name for himself and the college that he will playing golf at after he graduates high school. Donning the University of Texas visor all week and the Longhorns burnt orange shirt on Sunday, Hossler and his college were given plenty of air time by the NBC crew.
Honorable Mention
Jim Furyk - 5 Hour Energy
Webb Simpson - Wake Forest Arnold Palmer Scholarship
Collegiate Golf in general.
Big Loser - Bubba Watson
Watson simply had a rough start to his first Father's Day weekend as a father when he missed the US Open cut. Shooting a rough 78 on Thursday, Watson was snippy with reporters and some may say even a bit childish. Everybody loves Bubba because he's laid back, but when the tides turn and he isn't winning, that laid back attitude turns into a perceived lazy demeanor. His performance this past weekend may have some even saying that his Masters win was a bit of a fluke. I wouldn't go that far, but his performance and antics definitely didn't sit well with many.
Honorable Mention
Luke Donald - Missing cuts in majors for the world's #1 player should not be the norm.
Rory McIlroy - US Open winner to US Open missed cut in one year, oy.
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