YES!

The 107th U.S. Open begins today at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, with ESPN and NBC providing our libidos a combined 30 hours of live coverage. ESPN will spoon feed us our golf babes today and tomorrow from 10:00 am-3:00pm ET and 5:00-7:00pm, while NBC will take the 3:00-5:00pm time slot each day. NBC’s weekend coverage will air from 1:00pm until the conclusion of play on Saturday and Sunday.

Adam Scott goes into the event brimming with confidence. And while searching for images of the Burberry beast clad in his perfectly fitted trousers, I came across something for which I am ashamed. Adam Scott was profiled in Men’s Vogue this year and I missed it! I do believe that I’ve earned a wicked spanking by Mr. Scott for overlooking this sporntastic article. Buried in the article is a brief mention of a (oh-god-no) Swedish girlfriend?

Scott’s drive to win a major is complicated by the fact that he tends to play masterfully in the weeks before a big tournament only to see his game fall apart under the lights. Despite winning the Shell Houston Open the week before this year’s Masters, he finished 11 strokes off the lead in Augusta. His greatest enemy, Scott fears, might be self-satisfaction—the Swedish girlfriend, the Bur-berry threads, the money pouring in from sponsors like Titleist and Rolex sapping his desire. “I think young players on the PGA Tour have to be careful not to be lulled into a false sense of security,” he says. “Because they can finish 20th on the money list and make a great living.” Last year, Scott himself finished third on that list, and owns apartments in London, Switzerland, and Australia, the last of which he uses for surfing getaways. One of the advantages of his no-worries personality is that he shrugs off the trappings of wealth like he does errant putts. (Adam Scott.com)

FIFA ARE YOU HIRING?

This is an open plea to FIFA to hire me to assist in their new study. Newsday reports that FIFA is “embarking on a testosterone-profiling study.” The project is “aimed at determining whether natural levels of the male hormone are based on geography.” FIFA spokesperson Andreas Herren: “What we want to find out is whether there are any differences in testosterone levels in different populations.” Soccer players will be tested from Africa and Asia, as well as “sample groups” of Caucasian, Hispanic and African-American players. Swiss, Italian, Argentine and Japanese players will also be screened…like I said, I’m here to help and would be willing to relocate to Africa in order to inspect testosterone levels of Didier Drogba (which are more than apparent in the above photo) and I also wouldn’t mind a research trip to Italy. (NEWSDAY, 6/14).

DAVID BECKHAM

Dude smiled at a press conference and looked mighty fine doing so. And then I read that the hourlong special, titled “Victoria Beckham: Coming to America,” is set to air at 8 p.m. July 16. “Viewers will get a firsthand glimpse into what it’s like to be one of the most sought-after celebrities in the world,” said Craig Plestis, executive vp alternative programming, development and specials at NBC Entertainment. “Victoria’s every move is documented by the paparazzi, but only our cameras have been allowed inside the world of what being Victoria Beckham is really like.” (Hollywood Reporter) I’ll only tune in if there are cameras in the bedroom.

COMMON GETS CONVERSE RED

While Common doesn’t fall into the hottest pro-athlete category, he does earn a spot here due to his work on the RED Campaign. Today, Converse announced that Grammy award winning hip-hop artist and actor Common will be the face of Converse (PRODUCT) RED. The Fall 2007 advertising campaign is entitled “Weapon of Change” featuring irreverent messages and bold illustrations encouraging consumers to be optimistic rebels and become agents of change. The Converse (PRODUCT) RED Weapon(R) will be available exclusively through Foot Locker, Inc. and on http://www.converse.com. “Converse approached me to join the (PRODUCT) RED initiative and affect change. I have always felt my purpose is to do for people. Converse and (PRODUCT) RED are about people — educating and reaching out to people to help humanity. I do this through my music, activism and with people I come into contact with everyday. For me, Converse (PRODUCT) RED allows me to help affect change and have an immediate impact on people. Knowing the contributions from this initiative help people who need it makes it incredible because there’s no such thing as small change,” said Common. Indeed.

ANDY RODDICK

With Pierce Brosnan watching, Andy Roddick won his third round match at The Artois Championships in London. It always amazes me that with his silly, sexy, skewed facial expression he somehow manages to remain Hot.

HOOP DIVA’S
Gotta give some love to Hoop Divas. San Diego based Marketing 101 has spawned the first ever basketball camp for women! (Well, maybe not the first, but the first I’ve heard about). Yes, women who love to hoop can now learn from the best while enjoying sunny San Diego. The sports and entertainment marketing company has represented some of the greatest names in the history of sports and have operated numerous NBA pro-camps in the USA, England, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Australia, China and the Philippines. (I’ve met the coaches ladies- and all I can say is Hello!) According to the CEO: “We thought that it was about time that someone did something for the women who love to hoop.” So get to it ladies and show Lebron who’s his mama. (hoopdivas.com)

NEW REJECT: JONATHAN VILMA

I don’t think I need to add any comments about how stupid some people are. The newest member of the Mensa rejects club is Jets LB Jonathan Vilma. In an interview with WFAN-AM’s Chris Russo, Vilma “expressed indifference toward dog fighting” and compared it to horse racing. Vilma: “Of course dog fighting is much more extreme, but you can equate it to horse racing. You have animal activists that (condemn) horse racing.” Vilma also “suggested that [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell is handing down longer suspensions because of blanket media coverage on the league’s lawbreaking players.” Vilma: “The media (are) taking these situations and blowing them up to a different stage, to a higher level than what they really are” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/14). Well said idiot, and that’s exactly what we are gonna do with you and your asinine comments. Dog fighting and horse racing? Are you mentally ill Vilma? Seriously? By no stretch of the imagination can you equate racing horses to the cruelty suffered by Michael Vicks dogs. And I also have to add that I’m sick of people who attempt to justify Vick because dog-fighting is oh-so-popular in the “south”. Wasn’t slavery really popular at one time too?

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda
delinda@athlebrities.