FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oakley, Inc. today extended a proud salute to Rory McIlroy, winner of the 2011 U.S. Open Championship. A member of the Oakley Golf family, McIlroy relied on the company’s premium golf apparel to earn the coveted trophy at Congressional Country Club in Maryland. The 22-year-old golfer is currently at the number 8 spot in the World Golf Rankings.

“We could not be more proud of Rory’s phenomenal success, and we congratulate him for his incredible victory at the 111th U.S. Open,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “Coming from the Masters with more drive and focus than ever, he faced one of the deepest fields that the Open has seen, and he proved to the world that he is more than just a contender for the crown. Today he is honored as champion, and we salute his remarkable achievement.”

“At the beginning of the year, I teamed up with Oakley because they get it,” said McIlroy. “They understand my style and they’re not afraid to break away from the norm and try new things, and that’s why their stuff is so unique. Their apparel lets me stay focused on my game because I know I’ve got the best – no distractions. It has unbelievable performance technology and a really great look, which is why I’m proud to be part of the Oakley family.”

Baden added, “It’s an honor to have Rory put his trust and faith in Oakley innovation. Today’s young guns are leading the charge in golf -- they’re demanding the best of performance and style, and Rory is blazing the trail. He respects the heritage of the game but refuses to accept conventional ideas of style and possibility, and he inspires us to deliver the unexpected and achieve true performance breakthroughs shaped by a youthful edge of design that speaks to his unique personality. The next generation of golf has arrived, and we are proud that it puts its faith in our icon of innovation,” Baden concluded.

McIlroy set a record by the second round of the Open with 13 under par for the first 35 holes, more strokes under than any player has been at any point of a U.S. Open. (He signed for a 66 and a 131 total for 36 holes, the lowest in U.S. Open history and still 11 under par.) By the end of Saturday, he had set the 54-hole record at the U.S. Open with a 14-under 199. On Sunday, the Northern Ireland native shot a 69 for a 268 total, winning his first major and earning his place in the history book of champions.

McIlroy took full advantage of Oakley golf apparel technology during all four days of competition, relying on the resilient stretch, UV protection and antimicrobial action of the company’s golf polos. O Hydrolix, Oakley’s best-in-class moisture management technology, helped him stay focused with all-day comfort. He also depended on Oakley’s Take Pant 2, a golf-optimized design that offers moisture management, quick-drying action, and the freedom of movement he needs to unleash his drives.

Oakley’s Fast Jacket® sunglass is a new favorite for McIlroy. The interchangeable lens design offers the advantages of the company’s revolutionary SwitchLock^™ Technology, an innovation that makes the process of lens changing fast and hassle free. It lets athletes adapt quickly to changing light conditions, and with the unrivaled clarity and precision of High Definition Optics® (HDO®), golfers can optimize their line of sight on courses with tight fairways like Congressional Country Club, and precisely tuned vision helps their short game whether the greens are fast or soft with moisture.

McIlroy has become a golf phenom. He scored his first hole-in-one at age nine, topped the World Amateur rankings by his teens and won his first PGA tour event at age 20. He demands the most of himself and everything he brings to the game, including his golf apparel. “Oakley is as ambitious as I am,” said McIlroy. “The truth is, other brands just can’t compete.”

Visit Oakley.com to learn more about the company’s line of performance golf apparel and footwear, and its new Fast Jacket sunglasses.

About Oakley, Inc.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men’s and women’s product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.

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