Gore & Browne fade away shooting 80's

The U.S. Open's lovable underdogs, Olin Browne and Jason Gore did not quietly slip back into anonymity on Sunday, they returned with a resounding thud.

Sitting joint second, three-shots back of leader Retief Goosen when the final round began, Brown and Gore nose-dived down the leaderboard before settling in at 23rd and 49th respectively with rounds of 10-over 80 and 14-over 84.

A week ago, Browne was a journeyman who nearly withdrew from his U.S. Open qualifier after a bad start while Gore was an unknown bouncing around golf's minor leagues.

Extending their 15 minutes of fame and time at the top of the leaderboard far longer than anyone expected, for three magical days Brown and Gore blossomed into the game's two newest celebrities sitting on the brink of realising a golfing dream.

However, Sunday turned into a nightmare, as the journeymen were exposed to the stark reality that is the final round pressure cooker of the U.S. Open.

"It was awesome, I was incredible," said Gore, unscathed by the experience. "Just the whole deal is overwhelming and I can't wait to try it again.

"It was a heck of a week. I had a wonderful time. I feel very strongly that I'll be back.

"Stuff like this happens in the U.S. Open and I'll be a better player because of it."

Ranked 818th in the world, Gore in particular grabbed the imagination of American golf fans.

Driving to Pinehurst from his home in Knoxville, Tennessee with wife and their eight-month-old son, Gore's U.S. Open odyssey took a twist when thieves broke into his car and stole his computer, stereo and underwear.

His golf clubs, however, arrived safely with his caddie and the 31-year-old Gore has put them to good use.

Overnight the chunky golfer, who rekindled images of a young John Daly, became the sport's most popular figure working his way through crowds, shaking hands, signing autographs and generally enjoying every moment of his sudden fame.

"I don't know, maybe it was just the underdog, maybe I was honest with them," said Gore, trying to explain his sudden popularity. "I was just being myself.

"I feel like I'm a better player from it all. I'll still be myself and I'll try to be a good player and a good dad, and a good husband and good son."