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 Monday, June 16, 2003
U.S. Open barely on the radar
By Brent Musburger
Special to ABC Sports Online
Is it just me, or does it seem like this year's U.S. Open Golf Championship is barely on the radar screen? Whether anyone noticed or not, the golf world has zeroed in on the Olympia Fields Country Club's North Course outside Chicago.
Yes, everyone began the day wondering if Tiger Woods would win his third Open championship in four years. It's not exactly news that as Tiger goes, so goes the sport of golf, but there are a couple new factors at play this year. For one, Tiger's appearances are becoming all too rare for the game's good. Because of a December knee operation, Tiger has made only seven Tour starts in 2003.
When Tiger disappears, so does golf, but here's the other factor: Annika Sorenstam. Her appearance at the Colonial last month was covered just like a major. Maybe it's just that we're all hyped-out on golf. Then again, all golf needs to get our attention back is Tiger's name on a leader board. You can follow early-round action at the Open Friday and Saturday on ESPN.
College Rankings Update
The Athlon college-football preview caught my eye at the newsstand the other day. So did its preseason rankings.
At No. 5, Auburn. We'll see how good the Tigers are right away when they host USC on Aug. 30. At No. 4, Kansas State. The Wildcats have a legitimate Heisman candidate in returning quarterback Ell Roberson, who can throw and run. At No. 3, Ohio State. The defending national champs have 17 starters back from last year. At No. 2, the Miami Hurricanes. Brock Berlin steps in where Ken Dorsey left off.
And Athlon's No. 1 team is Oklahoma. Under Bob Stoops, the Sooners have 36 wins in the last three seasons, but they have an issue at quarterback. Oft-injured Jason White is still questionable because of his knees. Yes, knees -- plural. And the much-ballyhooed Brent Rawls has yet to step up, and we're talking both on and off the field.
Folks, it all begins in just 10 weeks.
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