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By Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY No matter your handicap you could still play in this year's U.S. Open at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. Virtually. The United States Golf Association and World Golf Tour (wgt.com) is hosting the first Virtual U.S. Open Championship at www.USOPEN.com, a worldwide competition that pits you and your computer against one of the toughest golf courses in the world. In U.S. Open conditions, no less. At no cost to you, either. Nearly 100,000 high-definition images were taken of the course from the ground and with helicopters using precisely mapped GPS coordinates. These images and additional data collected from the course were then translated through WGT's proprietary physics engine. Championship tees and hole locations, the famous U.S. Open rough and accurate green contours will all combine to challenge players. "This is a unique opportunity for fans to experience a very realistic online representation of the Black Course," said Alex Withers, USGA managing director of Digital Media. FIND MORE STORIES IN: PGA Tour | Pebble Beach | Ryuji Imada | Bethpage | Pebble Beach Golf Links Starting on Monday, visitors to www.USOPEN.com can play qualifying rounds for the Virtual U.S. Open through June 21st. The top 156 qualifiers plus ties will then square off for the Virtual U.S. Open title on June 22nd. "World Golf Tour provides the most realistic simulation of golf courses I have ever seen online," PGA Tour veteran Ryuji Imada said. "The photographs of the courses are stunning and the game helps players experience the same type of course management decisions I am faced with every weekend on Tour." The winner will be a guest of the USGA at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. | ||