I am a sucker for the in-depth, emotional stories peppered into live sports coverage. Tell me more about the Olympic triathlete who is energized by his handicapped daughter because I am hooked on this tear-jerking piece narrated by Bob Costas.

As a sports fan and natural storyteller, I was excited about all the great storylines that made the cut at this weekend’s U.S Open.

It seems like Phil Mickelson is destined to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. I really thought it was his year. It was like the coming together of two perfect emotional stories: his wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer and he considered this his final tournament before a family hiatus and the New York public’s love affair with his SoCal demeanor and determination.

David Duval’s was a tale of retribution. Ranked No.1 in 2001, Duval had virtually fallen off the planet since. But he was first this weekend to tell the again-endearing media that he had been calling this for a long time.

Tiger (simply Tiger) is always the center of attention, even when he is a handful of strokes out of striking distance. There was no way he was going to out-Tiger his Open performance from last year. But he is still the top-ranked player in the world, and the media wants to make sure it is front and center when he ultimately claims his 15th major championship.

You be the judge. Was it anticlimactic that Mickelson, Duval or Woods did not walk away with the trophy, on a Monday nonetheless?

While Lucas Glover deserves his time in the sun and the corresponding endorsements, if he cannot maintain this level of performance, the media will certainly forget him like…um, that other guy, what was his name and you know, the chap in the visor.  Still, everyone has a story to tell and some are just beginning.

All in all, the 2009 Open at Bethpage Black will be remembered from the weather and the New Yorkers. And trust me, the media took full advantage of those stories.