U.S. Open Contest Voting Hits 100,000

Without about a week to go in the voting, our U.S. Open contest has surpassed 100,000 ballots.

The contest will give one of five finalists--selected from almost 60,000 entrants--the opportunity to play Torrey Pines just days before the U.S. Open, under Open conditions, from the Open tees, with NBC's Matt Lauer, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo and actor/singer Justin Timberlake. The challenge: prove that an average golfer about 10 handicap can break 100 on an Open venue.

Right now, clear leader is Omaha sales rep John Atkinson, who has a handicap index of 8.0, which translates at Torrey to the 10-handicap amateur Tiger referred to when he said last year a 10 could not break 100 on the Open course at Oakmont.

We'll find out on June 6 in San Diego.

--Bob Carney