US Open Day #2: Some New "Dressed for Success" Faces

The 10th hole of any golf course always signifies the beginning of the "2nd Nine". Time to put the first half behind you and begin the second half of the round.

So, on the eve of the half-way point of this year's U.S. Open, let's examine who continued to "Dress for Success ..." and who joined the fray, chasing, as it seems for the moment, the 36-hole leader.  

Rory McIlroy Leads by Six (6) Strokes at Eleven (-11) Under Par

David Cannon/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy finds himself with a six-shot lead after shooting a blistering five under par. His play was almost perfect, except for his last hole where he got slipshod with his thinking, trying to do more than he had to.

Had Rory been as conservative as his dress on the second day, he might have finished with the twelve (-12) under he had achieved before that final hole.   

Could it have been that mismatched belt that was his downfall? Well, probably not, but the conservative outfit made me wonder if he's going to play it safe or continue to attack the course and set himself further apart from the field.  

Tomorrow's ensemble might give us a hint ... 

Y.E. Yang Remains in 2nd Place at Five (-5) Under Par

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Y.E. Yang of South Korea looks on from the 16th fairway during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

You'll remember that I liked Y.E.'s neon shirt yesterday. Well, today's was even better. This shirt has an embossed pattern to it and made him easily recognized anywhere on the golf course.  

He will need to top this shirt and his intensity so far to get closer to Rory McIlroy on "Moving Day" tomorrow.

Sergio Ties for 3rd at Two (-2) Under Par

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Sergio Garcia of Spain chips on the 14th green during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Sergio is one of those guys labeled with the comment "The best golfer not to win a Major yet," which has to bother him somewhat. So far his play is holding him in contention, maybe because he has, thus far, "Dressed for Success ..."

Sergio looked great in his complementary three (3) shades of this year's newest shade of blue. He found the whiter trousers for today and looked great. I'm hoping the stripes in his shoes were blue too.

Zach Johnson Ties for 3rd at Two (-2) Under Par

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Zach Johnson hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Zach is an addition to the Top 10 on our "Dress for Success ..." list. He has never been the most flamboyant dresser on the tour, but what he wears is always perfectly suited to his body-style.  

His 2nd Round ensemble, while drab compared to the others, is perfectly coordinated. His shirt collar and belt are the same plaid, and the saddle in his shoes seems to have been matched to his trouser colour.  

While I think the golf course is the place for flamboyance, I think that if you want to be conservative in your dress, you ought to look like Zach.

Matt Kuchar Ties for 3rd at Two (-2) Under Par

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 16: Matt Kuchar watches his tee shot on the 12th 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)

Getty Images, and no one else on the web for that matter, published a picture of Matt Kuchar in the 2nd Round, so I have used his Opening Round photo.

I guess the best I can say is that with a four (4) shot improvement over yesterday, he HAD to be wearing something more appealing today.

Matt was Andy North's selection to win, and he made a significant move from a tie for 34th to a tie for 3rd. 

Let's hope he learns to "Dress for Success ..." for "Moving Day"   

Brandt Snedeker Ties for 3rd at Two (-2) Under Par

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Brandt Snedeker hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Brandt and Robert Garrigus (our next featured player) both got to their tie for 3rd by attrition. By that I mean that neither did anything more than they did on Day #1, but others played significantly worse, so these chaps moved up the Leader Board.

I'm particularly struck by Brandt's ho-hum ensemble, which does not impress me at all. The visor matches nothing but the stripes in his track-shoe looking shoes, which simply do not belong on the golf course.   

Let's hope Brandt can get a little more into some colour for "Moving Day" tomorrow.

Robert Garrigus Ties for 3rd at Two (-2) Under Par

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 17: Robert Garrigus hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 17, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Robert Garrigus, as mentioned earlier, advanced to his tie for 3rd by attrition as he and Brandt Snedeker were tied for 10th after the 1st Round, shooting 70 in both rounds.

While Robert wore a nicely complementary ensemble, I have to wonder about the material of those trousers. This is the best photo of them/him since most others make the pants look like they are made of flannel or corduroy...neither of which is appropriate for June.