For the second year in a row the British Open was won today by Padraig Harrington. As of early yesterday we were watching to see if Greg Norman would become the oldest player to win it, but it slipped out of Norman’s hands today and became one in the record books but not for the oldest to win but the consecutive wins by Harrington. Harrington was the first European to win back to back for as long as you can remember (actually more than a century).

At first glance compared to the US Open with beautiful weather, the British Open was going to be a challenge with high winds and storms surrounding the play. It was.  At first glance it seemed that Harrington was not even sure if he could play based on an injured wrist as of Tuesday. (He did) But like Tiger Woods who entered the US Open with an injury, Harrington, too, played through all the obstacles and took the trophy along with all the other benefits of winning. Seems like the injured underdogs are coming out strong this year. Guess we will see what happens next (or who is injured?).

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When you think of golf do you think of steroid use as you do in baseball, football, or basketball? Do you think, “Wow my favorite player hits that ball like he is drugging it up”? Probably not, but based on the new rules that took effect on July 2, 2008, you could start to think so.

This week the first random drug test on professional golfers was done and although no one is saying who was tested, it was reported that at least one was tested before the ATT National round began. The two drugs that are being tested for are Glucocorticosteroids and Beta-2-Agonists and the players say these two drugs would not even enhance ones performance.

I guess the world of sports has really changed and based on that you will be hearing more about random drug testing on players as the tour continues. Good or bad, it has come to the surface. The thought is if they stay ahead of the official regulators and regulate themselves, they can compete in the Olympics in 2016 and hopefully never be called out by a member of Congress.

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That was some 5 days for those who love golf! Watching Tiger Woods comeback and tie on Sunday and  force the playoff on Monday seemed interesting enough, However, watching someone who barely made the cut come in second to one of, if not the best golfer in history play it up until the 91st hole, what more could you ask for?

Rocco Mediate came in to the US Openrated 159 and he leaves the Open with people besides his friends and family knowing who he is, along with more media attention than he most likely knows what to do with. Tiger comes back after some rough grimacing moments based on his knee surgery recovery and many wondered if he could play the whole thing. Well he not only played it, he won it. I think you would have to say that any outcome after the forced playoff would have been one to remember as we all like to root for the underdog and in this case they both seemed to fit the bill. Taking it into the 91st hole and coming one stroke away kept us all glued to the tv.

It seems like it was just the opening tee and now Torrey Pines has reopened its course to the many San Diegans that get to play the course but not like Mediate did. I imagine it would be a day many, especially Rocco Mediate will never forget. (I am sure Tiger will remember too.)

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With the US Open occuring as we speak, we thought we would provide tid bits on the course and the history of the match.

• It will be played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Califiornia
• The course will be set up at 7,643 yards and will play to a par of 35-36–71.
• Torrey Pines Course Rating is 79.7 and its slope Rating is 153.
• There has been about 42,500 tickets sold for each day of the match
• US Open will be nationally televised with over 30 hours of play shown by NBC and ESPN. Some satellite channels are covering the entire event at an extra cost
• The youngest winner of the Open was 19-year-old John McDermott, who won it in 1911
• The top eight finishers are invited to next years  Masters Tournament

Those are just a few trivia points. If you know more than please add yours.

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There has been a lot of news about hybrid products lately especially with cars as the price of gas goes through the roof. Why bring the price of gas up on a golf site?  We feel that it is the best well known product that helps explain what a hybrid golf club is for those that do not know. A hybrid is a mix of two exisiting products with the goal of making a better product. In the case of a golf club, it is the mix between a fairway wood and a long iron usually a two to five iron. The hybrid golf club has actually practically eliminated the need for the two to five irons.

Why is it better? Well if you ask a golfer, it would be because of the results they get. They can hit the ball further and longer with such a  club. Scientifically hybrid golf clubs will create a higher and more controllable shot than the flat irons that tend to roll more and thus less directable. They are mostly used for shots out of the rough in which the the regular irons are hard to get the club under the ball in the way necessary to direct the ball on the green where you want it.

The pros are using the hybrids on the championship courses now and that should tell you something as it is doubtful they would use some inferior club just to please Callaway or Nike. They want to win and the sponsors want to too, so this is validation that the hybrid golf club is here to stay. Although slightly more expensive, the club is worth the cost and you can find some great deals on pre-owned clubs that will do the job.

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Can you think of a better way to start off this half price golf clubs site blog then with information on the US Open. Starting on the June 12 the the best golfers take on Torrey PInes in San Diego, California. Being so close in proximity to the course as Temecula is only about 45 minutes away it is hard to have to watch it on TV, but that will have to do for this year.

If you have watched the US Open live or on TV before you realize that Torrey Pines is one of the best golf courses in the country. Overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean in La Jolla the weather is almost guaranteed to be perfect unlike other courses where rain and wind is sometimes a hindrance.

Last years winner was Angel Cabrera and if history says anything he won’t be this years as well. Since 1991 there have only been two players, one being Tiger Woods to finish 40th or better the following year and no one has won it back to back. Speaking of Woods this will be the first time he has publically played since his knee surgery in April. He is going to play even though he admits he is not completely healed. Should be good to watch.

With at least 30 hours of coverage shared by ESPN and NBC you can watch your favorite player vow for this years crown unless you are one of the lucky ones of the 44,000+ attendees daily to see it live and enjoy the relaxing breezes and perfect San Diego weather. Either way this years Open is sure to be everything it has been and more especially with the return of Tiger Woods to a course after his surgery. Fore!

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