By Dan Daly - The Washington Times
Until he had his Roy McAvoy Moment on the 18th hole and reminded everybody he was human, Rory McIlroy was walking in the clouds Friday at Congressional. He had gone to where no man had gone before in the U.S. Open – to the distant stratosphere of 13 under par – and had turned a proud, USGA-ified golf course into the Greater Belfast Pitch and Putt. Published June 17, 2011
By Carla Peay - The Washington Times
For most 16-year olds, a weekend in June is all about fun. For Beau Hossler, it was all about business, growing up and realizing a dream. Published June 17, 2011
By Nathan Fenno - The Washington Times
The back nine of Congressional Country Club's Blue Course is a treacherous place. Six holes measure 460 yards or more. Water encroaches on three of them. And, for good measure, there are 44 steep bunkers. All that's missing, it seems, is a windmill and pond full of alligators. Published June 17, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
On Thursday, the contrast between Rory McIlroy's first-round 65 and Phil Mickelson's 74 was drastic. Zach Johnson was in the middle of the road at 71 but didn't have the blunders or the spectacular play to draw attention. Published June 17, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
Thirty-six holes into this U.S. Open, one guy is clearly the story. In a tournament where winners often struggle to even get under par, Rory McIlroy's 65-66 for 11-under was awe-worthy. Published June 17, 2011
By Patrick Stevens - The Washington Times
Rory McIlroy pondered his back-nine collapse at the Masters earlier this year for a week, plucked some lessons for future use and then insisted the miserable Sunday was in his past. Published June 16, 2011
By Nathan Fenno - The Washington Times
They stood around the first tee and thought about the man who wasn't there. Published June 16, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
Fred Funk took a walk around Congressional Country Club last week after qualifying for the U.S. Open and had one thought: "Uh oh - it's going to play long." Published June 16, 2011
By Carla Peay - The Washington Times
It was a dreary, overcast morning with a light rain falling as the U.S. Open began at Congressional on Thursday. For the world's No. 1 golfer, Luke Donald, it might as well have been sunny skies. Published June 16, 2011
By Deron Snyder - The Washington Times
The world's best golfers have convened in greater Washington, causing me to reflect on a personal mystery inside an enigma. Surely there must be others in the same position, wondering why they haven't joined the legions on the links. Published June 16, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
It's not the way Phil Mickelson would have liked to start this U.S. Open. Shortly after drawing a hearty round of applause from the crowd at the 10th hole at Congressional Country Club, he dropped his first shot into the water. Published June 16, 2011
By Dan Daly - The Washington Times
Every U.S. Open round has its own personality. The machinations of the USGA - where it puts the pins and tees - have much to do with it. So, sometimes, does Mother Nature. But if Thursday is any indication, we could be watching a different kind of Open this week, something more along the lines of a Six Flags ride. Published June 16, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
There's no mistaking this is the U.S. Open: 156 of the world's top golfers playing one of the country's most respected courses, Bethesda's Congressional Country Club. With eight past champions and just about everyone not named Tiger Woods taking part, it's a fitting national championship. Published June 15, 2011
By Stephen Whyno - The Washington Times
Saturday night, June 4, Michael Tobiason Jr. drove from Wilmington, Del., down to Maryland for sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open. Having to make the top 10 out of more than 100 competitors, the teaching instructor with no history of success at this level wasn't expected to make it. Published June 15, 2011
By Patrick Stevens - The Washington Times
A golf major brings with it the inevitable search for a pre-tournament favorite. Published June 15, 2011
