Rocco Has a new fan-me

[InTheTwenties]

Rocco's performance at the open, in my opinion was a class act. He has me as a new fan.

In a way, I think it was better that Rocco came in 2nd (I'm sure he would disagree), because if he had won, the story would be that Tiger somehow lost it. Lost focus etc.

Also, the addition of Tiger's injury would have lessened the Rocco victory. The NY press would probably have vilified Rocco; paint him to be an eccentric lapel collecting lucky Sunday golfer.

Great US open, and I'm glad I taped it. Excellent and classy play from both. It was almost like a movie. Hopefully someone will produce a dvd of The Open.

[QWKDTSN]

Count me in!

Watching Rocco play golf makes me happy. I wish I could look as happy as that doing just about anything. I was watching some of the highlights from the CVS charity tournament today and Rocco just looks like a man in his element. He may not have won the US Open but I think every person who watched that tournament came away with a newfound respect for what a competitor could be.

Tiger is 'the greatest' but in comparison to Rocco, he is like a tournament-winning robot - Rocco simply showed himself to be a humble, happy competitor. Guys like Rocco and Paul Goydos, who, similarly, lost The Players this year due to some bad luck to a younger, more athletic competitor, are really special golfers, and they're definitely worth rooting for.

[nico002]

I don't get the though process of saying that Tigers injury diminished Roccos "accomplishment". Rocco didn't just "almost beat Tiger" he beat every other player on the field through 18, it wasn't just Rocco and Tiger for 91 holes.

[TigerCurtis333]

Rocco gained a LOT of fans over that tournemnt. My two are still Curtis and Tiger, but if Rocco is there in contention and they aren't I've got my pick already.

Good point with the press there too.

[Dub]

I don't get the though process of saying that Tigers injury diminished Roccos "accomplishment". Rocco didn't just "almost beat Tiger" he beat every other player on the field through 18, it wasn't just Rocco and Tiger for 91 holes.

Excellent point....one that I had to remind some "Tiger is everything" fans that I work with.

Rocco beat out the field save one golfer. He matched mettle with him for 18 playoff holes, too. Rocco earned lots of respect.

[Lemay427]

Rocco is an awesome player and seems like a nice guy to have a beer with. Regardless of Tigers injury, Rocco's accomplishment is impressive. He didnt crack under the pressure. Sure he had a bad hole (no. 91) at the wrong time, but he kept coming up with brilliant shots.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Yeah, Rocco s got my vote as a top player and a top man. Just goes to show though that World Ranking does not really matter that much. Any player on his day can step up to the plate and do the business. What matter is now and not what has happened before.

[mellojoe]

Sure he had a bad hole (no. 91) at the wrong time, but he kept coming up with brilliant shots.

And the thing about it, you know that if they had played one more hole, he WOULDN'T have let it affect him. He would still be carrying that same goofy smirk to the next hole, and he probably would have shot it straight down the fairway.

Both Rocco and Tiger made several bogey's (and a couple of double's) throughout the Open, but both were able to shake it off and make a Birdie soon after. Rocco did it with a smile and a little spring in his step. That's what made it so much fun to watch. He never looked like he was "worried" about losing the Open or "stressed" that he needed to win it. He was just out playing a round of golf. Brilliant.

[ChiChiIsMe]

I like his putter.

[sam004]

I agree, the guy seems like a class act.
And of course the media would have had focus more on Tiger than Rocco's
accomplishment.

What a great match. It would be one to have on DVD.

[b-squared]

I'm a new fan of Rocco's too, I think he's a great player, and I'm looking forward to watching more of his matches...

[GaijinGolfer]

Rocco earned my respect too. He's a class act and one heck of a golfer. I agree that if Rocco would have won, the golf critics would have said its was a tainted victory because Tiger wasnt at 100%.
Hopefully Rocco gets another chance at a U.S. Open title...

[PuterPutter]

I am a Rocco fan. I really like his attitude and he has fun. After all is said and done, golf is still a game. I am just glad I get to play. I like pulling for the "old" guys. It just proves that even old guys can still play the game.

[Lemay427]

Ya I will def. buy the DVD of the championship when it comes out. This is will be one to keep and look back on.