US Open Day #1: Dressing for Success

There's a time-tested adage that says, "Clothes make the man ..." ... and yet another that says, "Dress for Success ..."  

There are many who believe this to be true and that certain "jobs" have a very distinctive "uniform which identifies the man immediately with what he does for a living.  

It goes without saying that golf has had a very colourful and distinctive past, which, while muted a bit today for yesteryear's plaids, still proves both adages.

Over each of the four rounds, I'll take a look at whose clothes made the man's round in the 2011 US Open Day #1.  Today's initial installment is for the Opening Round. 

Rory McIlroy Is the Leader at Six (-6) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches a putt on the sixth green during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Rory's ensemble was simple, well coordinated, well tailored, and said to all that he meant business when he showed up at the course.  

He is the Day #1 Leader and certainly looked the part.

Charl Schwartzl Ties for 2nd at Three (-3) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Charl Schwartzel of South Africa hits a tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Like Rory McIlroy, he looked the part.  

Charl's ensemble is well-coordinated and complimented the image he wanted to portray when he arrived, right down to stripes with stripes, and his game matched.

Y.E. Yang Ties for 2nd with a Three (-3) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Y.E. Yang of South Korea watches a shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Y.E. took the same route and Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzl using two (2) colours.   Y.E. made sure that if there was fog, he would not be lost in the mist.  

His neon shirt looks great and his wearing it is as impressive as his round.  I might have selected solid white shoes, but I'm assuming his sponsor had something to say about them.

He dressed as if he meant it, then went out and proved it.

Alexandre Rocha Ties for 4th with a Two (-2) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Alexandre Rocha of Brazil hits a shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Alexandre shows that the first day trend of well coordinated outfits made for a good day of performance.  I particularly liked that he even thought out the idea of stripes with stripes.

Scott Hend Ties for 4th with a Two (-2) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Scott Hend of Australia waits with his caddie Judith Coleman during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Scott Hend's performance proves that REAL MEN can, most certainly, wear Pink.  Unfortunately, he forgot that you do not coordinate your belt colour only with the soles of your shoes.  

This picture makes his trousers look Cream colour next to his bag and shoes.   I'll give him a pass since his Pink matches the lettering on his bag, so let's just assume that if he bag is White, so were his trousers.

His belt should have been either White or Pink.  I did like that his shoes picked up and coordinated with is shirt colour.

Sergio Garcia Ties for 4th with a Two (-2) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Sergio Garcia of Spain watches a putt on the 13th green during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Sergio came dressed to play like the others with one exception.   Sergio went for less-that-white trousers, which looked great, especially with his hat belt and shoes coordinated perfectly.  

I like the new wave of tone-on-tone coloured shirts.   It provides a nice bit of personality and a smashing look.

Louis Oosthuizen Ties for 4th at Two (-2) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Louis Oosthuizen went the distance from head to toe, keeping the three colour ensemble wonderfully consistent.  

His cap picks up both colours in his shirt, and his belt and shoes matched.  Louis agreed with Sergio's selection of less-than-white slacks.   Nice job Louis.

Ryan Palmer Ties for 4th with a Two (-2) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Ryan Palmer hits a shot during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Well, there always has to be a polar opposite to the day's trend and Ryan Palmer provided it.

I, like many others, believe that black is the absence of colour and verve, and has no place on the golf course.  I do compliment Ryan for carrying the colour off and being well matched.

EXCEPTION: Kyung-Tae Kim Shoots Two (-2) Under Par and Ties for 4th

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Kyung-Tae Kim of South Korea watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 16, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Well, there is always an exception to every rule and every trend.  Kyung-tae Kim provided it with his opening round hideous ensemble.  

It proves that he needs to fire his clothing consultant, if he has one, or, on the other hand, maybe hire one.  

On the other hand, he played well in spite of looking terrible.