If you haven't heard (and chances are you haven't), U.S. Open 2008 kicked off this week and no, we're not talking about the tennis tournament.  From June 9-15, the pros, amateurs, and even celebrities are participating in the USGA-hosted event at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (U.S. Women's Open takes place June 23-29).

So we all know Tiger's great, and we're somewhat familiar with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, and female golfer Se Ri Pak. But what about the hottest up-and-coming golfers you haven't heard of...yet?  

BEST MALE GOLFERS

1. Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State)

• Fowler has been ranked as the No. 1 amateur golfer in the world for a total of 28 weeks in 2007 and 2008. He's also been named Golfweek's 2007-2008 College Player of the Year...all in his Freshman year of college.
• This week, he's actually playing in the current U.S. Open tourney and is already tied for 6th place (ahead of Tiger, Mickelson, and Singh!).

2. Michael Thompson (Arkansas)

• After Hurricane Katrina hit, Thompson had to transfer from Tulane to Arkansas where he continued to earn First-Team All-American honors in the SEC (previously was First-Team All-Conference USA).
• Although finishing as runner-up in the 2007 U.S. Amateur Championship, Thompson still scored a spot in both the U.S. Open and the Masters. Not too shabby.

3. Kevin Chappell (UCLA)

• This past year, Chappell led UCLA to their first NCAA team title since 1988. He also won the NCAA individual title--the first ever for the Bruins.
• On a side note, his interests include fishing, beer pong and sleeping.
   

4. Jamie Lovemark (USC)

• Notable accomplishments include the 2007 NCAA individual title, Arnold Palmer award, Jack Nicklaus award, Phil Mickelson award, two-time AJGA All-American (2004, 2005), 2004 AJGA Rolex Tournament Champion and Western Junior Champion (in back-to-back weeks!).
• Not to mention, he's kinda hot and already has his own website (check out jamielovemark.com).

BEST FEMALE GOLFERS

1. Amanda Blumenherst (Duke)

• Blumenherst is 1 of 4 amateurs to make it to the 2008 U.S. Women's Open and is the first three-time ACC Champion in women's golf. She is currently the top-ranked female golfer according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index.
• Throughout her collegiate career, she has led the Blue Devils to 2 NCAA Championships, 3 ACC titles, 11 individual tournament wins, and 18 team wins. She has been named First-Team All-American in the past 2 years and is consensus National Player of the Year.

2. Stacy Lewis (Arkansas)

• First of all, this sophomore from Texas was redshirted during the 2003-04 season for surgery in which she had a rod implanted in her back for scoliosis. Lewis has been setting groundbreaking records ever since.
• She's won the NCAA National Championship, Women's Southern Amateur title, the individual title at the World University Golf Championship in Torino, Italy, among others. Plus, she already has experience in the U.S. Women's Open (2007).

3. Anna Nordqvist (ASU)

• Last year, Nordqvist was named NGCA Freshman of the Year, NGCA First-Team All-American, Pac-10 Player of the Year, Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year, and NGCA Academic All-American...just to name a few.
• This Swedish broad finished the season ranked 2nd in the nation by Golfweek and Golfstat Cup. Internationally, she's been 2005 Girls' British Open Champion, 2005 Swedish Amateur of the year, and 3rd place in the 2005 European Championship.

4. Belen Mozo (USC)

• Mozo won the 2006 British Ladies Open Amateur title and the 2006 Girls' British Open Amateur title, making her the first woman to win both in the same year since 1972. It doesn't hurt to have taken the International European Ladies Amateur Championship as well.
• Hailing from Cadiz, Spain, Mozo is another golf hottie to look out for (see above photos). No wonder. Just like Jamie Lovemark, Mozo's from USC as well.