Tony Romo and Justin Timberlake Break 100; Matt Lauer and Contest Winner John Atkinson Fall Short
NEW YORK (June 10, 2008) – Golf Digest, in association with the USGA and NBC Sports, will air the first-ever Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge on Sunday, June 15th on NBC from 2-3pm ET. The program will air immediately before final-round coverage of the 2008 U.S. Open Championship.
The program was taped on Friday, June 6th at Torrey Pines (South Course), the site of the 2008 U.S. Open, and features the winner of the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge, John Atkinson, along with three celebrity participants: NBC’s “Today” show host Matt Lauer, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and singer/actor Justin Timberlake.
The foursome played all 18 holes under strict USGA regulations with the goal of trying to break 100 on the par-71, 7,643-yard course. Torrey Pines proved to be a tough test for all four single-digit handicappers. Romo shot a 13-over 84 and joined Timberlake, who shot a 27-over 98, as the only two to break 100. Lauer came up just short with a 29-over 100 while Atkinson carded a 43-over 114.
“That was an experience I will never forget,” said Atkinson after the round. “I didn’t reach the goal I had in mind but I kept pushing forward and that’s what this contest, and life, is all about.”
Atkinson, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with Stage IV inoperable lung cancer last year at the age of 38.
The idea behind the Challenge started after the second round of the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club when Tiger Woods mentioned that it would be nearly impossible for a 10-handicapper to break 100 the way that the course was set up. All four participants in the Golf Digest U.S. Open challenge carry a Handicap Index of less than 10 (Atkinson: 8.1; Lauer: 5.6; Romo: 2.2; Timberlake: 6.0).
In December 2007, Golf Digest offered up the Challenge to the public asking average golfers to send in 100-word essays on why they thought they could break 100 at Torrey Pines. 56,374 essays were submitted and then narrowed down to five finalists. Atkinson was selected by the public through online voting in April 2008 when he captured 42% of the 117,331 total votes.
Additional information about the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge can be found in the July issue of Golf Digest (on newsstands June 10) and at www.golfdigest.com, www.usga.org and www.nbcsports.com.
Contact:
Brian Fisher
Golf Digest
212-630-2488
Brian.Fisher@GolfDigest.com
Bret Hopman
Golf Digest
212-630-2490
Bret.Hopman@GolfDigest.com
