Gail force winds, horizontal rain, frigid temperatures and even the poor British dental system couldn’t deter Padraig Harrington from defending his Open crown. Some questioned whether Harrington really won the crown last year or was given it, but no one can take away from what he did this week at Royal Birkdale. Paddy now becomes the 24th man to ever win multiple Majors and the first European in over 100 years to defend an Open title. It seems that the best preparation for a Major this year is to hurt yourself right before. I wouldn’t be surprised to see half the field show up to the PGA Championship at Oakmont a little gimpy.

We should also pass along our thanks to Greg Norman who stepped into the spotlight this week injecting his charisma and flair, like he did when he was the #1 player in the world, and filled an obvious void created by Tiger’s absence. He provided the media frenzy experts were convinced would be lacking. Just shows you what they know.

Simply known as The Open. To be considered one of the all-time greats of the game capturing golf’s oldest trophy, the Claret Jug, is a must. Winning a Major Championship is career defining, to do it in the birthplace of golf is truly special. Read on for more of GP’s Salute to the British Open.
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232 years ago, July 4th, the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. A day commonly associated parades, barbecues and fireworks. If you’re wondering why that is, look no further than John Adams, who said:

“This day ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

Fine words Mr. Adams… fine words indeed. So heed his advice. Get your grills fired up, crack the drinks wide open, pull a girl close, and enjoy your right to celebrate Independence Day. Happy Fourth, everyone.

-The GP Editors

If you missed any of the gut wrenching drama of the US Open then you missed one of the most spectacular showdowns in all of sports. Four rounds and an 18-hole playoff were not enough to settle it between the #1 ranked played in the world and the 158th that it had to go to sudden death. Tiger called this win his greatest championship and I have to agree. He showed a new level of fortitude and perseverance that we have yet to see from him, and that’s saying a lot. Winning when you’re 100% is great; gutting it out when your not is what separates the true champions.

My thoughts after the jump.

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June 9th – 15th | San Diego, California

The United States Open is in my humble opinion the greatest Major/Championship in golf. It’s not only our country’s national golf championship but any golfer with a handicap index of 1.4 or better can qualify, thus making it a true ‘Open’. The Masters may have its rich tradition, but I’ll take national pride every time.

The South Course at Torrey Pines is only the second municipal golf course to hold our country’s most grueling golf championship. At 7,643 yards from the tips, Torrey Pines will be the longest U.S. Open track in history. William P. Bell’s original design has stood the test of time and recent renovations by U.S. Open course guru Rees Jones have made the course gloriously diabolical. With wider fairways than any recent US Open and the USGA’s new graduated rough policy you may think this is going to be a shootout similar to Tiger’s 19 under par win at the Buick Invitational in January. Hardly… From the back tees on #13 it will take a 260 yard carry over a ravine just to find the fairway. Throw in 500 yard par 4s (ouch) and 600+ yard par 5s along with greens running 13-14 on the Stimp Meter (try putting on your kitchen floor for reference) and it’s going to be a most demanding test.

So sit back and enjoy the carnage.

It’s settled.

South Africa is the country you want to be in to learn about golfing in windy conditions, and though it may resemble very little of Augusta one thing is for sure… Trevor Immelman has left his mark on both countries. “It’s magic” as the South Africans would say.

Some sports have belts, some have trophies, some have medals but only the Masters can make a green blazer with an emblazoned patch feel like the most coveted sartorial item on earth. Immelman even seems perfectly suited for the summer pine colored sports jacket, and a sports jacket it is indeed.

Immelman took on the treacheries of Augusta with a few moments of drama (that tee shot on 16 was just painful) but in the end his smart plays and consistency won him a lead of 5 going into the 13th hold and eventually finishing 8 under 280, warranting Immelman a title, a jacket and a line in the history of legends.

Trevor Immelman, we salute you.

Not long after it became widely known that Bear Stearns shares sold to JPMorgan for the portfolio crumbling price of $2 we got an email from a reader asking if we knew what else out there cost $2. Here’s what we found:

1. One-way metro pass on the New York subway system.
2. Two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers off of a suburban Wendy’s Super Value Menu, tax not included.
3. Fake breasts at a Dollar Store in San Francisco.
4. $2/$500,000,000,000 of the cost for the War in Iraq.
5. Two rewards points from a slot machine pull at the Venetian casino in Las Vegas. If you’re a Platinum Card Member.
6. Nine tracks of Nine Inch Nails “Ghosts I-IV” web-album. *free
7. A membership for your significant other to Trashy Lingerie, a lingerie store in Los Angeles.
8. Eastbay Men’s Basic Flip Flop, shipping not included.
9. One $2 prepaid long distance phone card from Phone Shark.
10. Single share* of Bear Stearns.

*You really can’t buy this, but you’re smart enough to know that.

[click on image to enlarge]

February 14th. They might as well call it National Woman’s Day. An overhyped, overcommercialized day of pink, roses and chocolate. We don’t buy into it yet we succumb to it’s powers - buying gifts, dinner at marquee restaurants, sending flowers and making extraordinary efforts in what feels like a contest to provide women a better story to make their friends jealous.

We salute you women. We salute your ability to bring us such sheer pleasure while simultaneously having a tenacious grip on our sanity. We know that on this very day there are millions of conversations uttering the very same thing about guys and it’s completely erroneous… erroneous. This day… the 45th day of each and every year you get a bonus, one day when men feel responsible to make you happy no matter what the cost. We will walk into stores we don’t feel comfortable in. We will attempt to pick out flowers that we have no idea about. And we will do it without grudge and do it of our own volition.

For our comrades who are single, may you enjoy this day. For those of you in relationships, may you enjoy it as well and godspeed if you’ve forgotten.

Also see:
Relationship Men - Valentine’s Day Gift Guide from Someone Spoil Me
Single Men - Gear Girls

The New York Giants pulled off what just might be the biggest upset in sports history at Super Bowl XLII on Sunday. They were able to overcome the most dominant team in the NFL in recent memory, the hype of the media, and the endless commercial breaks to become World Champions in Football (for some - it’s the real one, not the one that uses round balls and… feet).

Of course, people love the Super Bowl not just for the game, but perhaps even more for the commercials. So for those of you who love the products featured here on Gear Patrol but are perhaps looking for more “mileage” out of them, the Bud Light “Cheese Party” spot (after the jump) might give you some ideas for alternate uses.

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Whether you spend the day watching Transformers, grilling steaks to delicious perfection or just kicking it back with a beer in one hand and a gorgeous companion in the other it’s important to realize that 231 years ago this country liberated itself from the throes of colonization. It’s also to important to know that those colonies would later go on to be states and eventually form the United States of America; spreading our brands, fast food, painfully gorgeous women, and much envied lifestyle across the world.

It’s also important to give a shout to our fellow men overseas who are missing the chance at that pool side brat and beer. This ones for you gents.

It’s also important to know that this day is one of the few where everyone can revel in things blowing up in the air - we sure plan to.

- The GP Team