Afterthoughts and after effects

Beer! Its whats for winners!

     Predictions concerning newly crowned U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy's future seem to be running toward the messianic in the two short days since play in the 111th playing of the national open ended.  Though I'm not prone to crowning the lad the next dominant player just yet, I do think there's one area in which we can safely say he is about to dominate: Rory McIlroy is going to be the most sought after endorser since Tiger Woods quipped "Hello world."  Potential sponsors are undoubtedly beating down the door of McIlroy's agent, Chubby Chandler, and tossing piles of potential money around in the hope of buying space on his cap, shirt and golf bag.  Though he may not have the cross-culture appeal of a young Tiger, Rory is a can't miss prospect for any company hoping to capitalize on his much deserved popularity.  Chandler was heard to comment during Rory's post win press conference, "He's just as good in that seat as he is on the course," and that is one of the keys to McIlroy's potential endorsement riches.  Look for continuing breaking news where this matter is concerned.

     Another young golfer who continues to impress is the runner up in the year's first two major championships.  Australian Jason Day is showing a knack for getting in to the hunt and not backing down when the action heats up.  In four career majors, Day has finished in the top ten three times.  He could easily have had a major or two under his belt had it not been for Charl Schwartzel's four consecutive birdie finish and Rory McIlroy's otherworldly play.  Day may want to consider changing agents and enlisting Chubby Chandler, who represents both Schwartzel and McIlroy, as well as reigning Champion Golfer of the Year, Louis Oosthuizen.

     Speaking of Chubby Chandler and his major championship mill, it's interesting to contrast the atmosphere and feel of his agency, ISM, with that of the premier American agency, IMG.  It seems to me that ISM is run by Chandler to have a more collegial, avuncular approach than that of its American counterpart.  IMG has a reputation for enriching it's clients, sometimes at the expense of their career longevity due to the rigors of travel and the frequency of appearances.  It will be interesting to see if this trend continues long term.

     For future U.S. Opens, the rota is now scheduled through 2019, and there's reason for some excitement and some curiosity.  In order starting with 2012, the venues will be Olympic Club in San Fransisco, Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Pinehurst #2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Shinnecock Hills, New York and Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble beach, California.  Merion and Olympic are returning to the rotation after long absences (1981 for Merion and 1998 for Olympic) and Chambers Bay and Erin Hills are both hosting their first ever professional tournament, having opened withing the last five years.