Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/23/2023

In what was expected to be a wide-open Open Championship (known State Side as the British Open), a relative underdog streaked to easy victory. American Brian Harman surged to a 5-stroke lead by the cut day and never looked back.  Helping him (or indicative of the challenge of the course), it seemed to be different challengers on different days as some players would surge, then fade, then another would get hot but not sustain.  In the end, the steady 5'7" lefty American gapped the field by 6 strokes.  His four rounds of 70 or under was more than enough to hold off chargers like Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Tom Kim.  The 36-year-old Harman wins his first major and made it look easy, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 7/16/2023

Another week, another Major or Grand Slam Championship and another first time winner on the big stage.  Love to see it.  In a predictable Wimbledon Championship on the Gentlemen's side, the Ladies produced a complete surprise.  Czech surprise Marketa Vondrousova shocked the tennis establishment by winning the Ladies Championship over 6-seeded Ons Jabeur in straight sets 6-4 squared.  It wasn't so easy, both sets Vondrousova stormed comebacks that Jabeur could not answer.  Vonsrousova is the first unseeded champion on the Ladies side in All England history.  Jabeur had to settle for the runner's up trophy for the second straight year.  The 24-year-old Vondrousova stormed through four other seeds on the way only dropping two sets the entire fortnight.  She represents everything our Blog supports, and is the Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week!

Sportswoman of the Week Ending 7/9/2023

A great week of summer sports commenced this week with golf, tennis, baseball, cycling, and soccer in the warmest month of the year in the northern hemisphere.  Such a far cry from sports three years ago.  We turn to golf this week in which a thrilling and exciting United States Women's Open unfolded at legendary Pebble Beach, the first time the tournament was held at the legendary American iconic course.  And a new superstar emerged.  American Allisen Corpuz played steady and clutch golf to win not only her first LPGA major golf championship, but her first LPGA win.  Corpuz won with a steady stick in her hand across drives, approaches, and putts.  Four rounds between 69 and 71.  The Hawaiian native executed in all aspects and is a worthy Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 7/2/2023

Americans have been waiting for their Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT) to step up and play at the top international level and time and time again have been disappointed.  Reaching the round of eight in any major international tournament (e.g. World Cup) seems to be a ceiling.  Even in Western Hemisphere action (e.g. CONCACAF or Gold Cup) it seems farfetched to make a strong run.  2023 may be a corner turner.  No longer are they fighting against Carribean Island teams and losing to Mexico.  But winning and winning big.  Two games this week, albeit against lesser competition, the USMNT surged.  Led by upstart star Jesus Ferreira.  Ferreira may be the superstar to combine with Christian Pulisic to push the USMNT to the next level.  This week it was epic.  Hat trick on Wednesday against Saint Kitts and Nevis.  Hat trick on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago.  No, this isn't against France or Argentina.  But the team is playing well and confidence is something they need. Led by a future star, Jesus Ferreira, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!