PINEHURST, N. Todd Frazier Jersey .C. -- Rickie Fowler turned in another strong finish in one of golfs biggest events and gained the experience of playing in the final group of a major. He will have to wait a little longer for his first major title or his second PGA Tour victory. The 25-year-old Fowler tied for second Sunday in the U.S. Open, finishing with a 2-over 72 for a 1-under 279 total at Pinehurst No. 2. Fowler and Erik Compton ended up eight strokes behind runaway winner Martin Kaymer, who dominated the tournament so completely the first two days that everyone else was playing for second. Ultimately, Fowler said, his second top-five major finish of the year is proof hes inching closer to some breakthrough moments -- the kind that could eliminate the questions about whether he is more hype than substance. "It doesnt matter what I do. Im always going to have critics," Fowler said. "... Obviously, theres been some great finishes, but I want to win and I want to win more." Fowlers only tour win came two years ago in the Wells Fargo Championship. He was two shots back at the Masters going into the final day before shooting 73 to tie for fifth. He has always attracted plenty of attention with his flamboyant style, from the knickers he wore Thursday in opening round in tribute to late U.S. Open champion Payne Stewart to the nearly head-to-toe orange of alma mater Oklahoma State he wore Sunday. His game has been a work in progress with swing coach Butch Harmon since the end of last year following the death of former coach Barry McDonnell in 2011. While Fowler has shown improvement, he has also missed the cut in three of six events since the Masters. At Pinehurst No. 2, he shot even-par 70 on Thursday and Friday then followed with a 67 to put himself in the final group. But he never got much momentum Sunday, with his double bogey on the fourth hole -- he sank a long putt to avoid a triple -- stalling him early. He also hooked a tee shot on the 16th so badly that a man had to snatch up his child to avoid the ball skirting along the pine needles, though Fowler managed to save par on that hole before a bogey on 17 helped drop him into a tie for second. "He hit a couple of bad shots and that put him into some bad positions, but he saved it very well," Kaymer said. "... I was just hoping for him that he makes birdie on 18, because I think he really deserved to finish second here." Still, if Fowler felt disappointed with tying for second, he did not show it Sunday evening. As Compton talked with reporters, Fowler pulled out his cellphone and snapped a selfie with Compton in the background as he stood to the side waiting his turn. "Its kind of the same way handling rounds at the U.S. Open here," Fowler said about winning a major. "You cant get ahead of yourself, you have to stay patient, have to stay in the moment and keep going through the process. ... Were going to continue to do this and keep my game progressing the right way, and its just a matter of time." Ron Santo Jersey . -- The Atlanta Braves added to their extensive wave of long-term deals with their young stars on Sunday by agreeing to a $42 million, four-year contract with All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. Nellie Fox Jersey .com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers. http://www.authenticbaseshopwhitesox.com/authentic-joe-crede-white-soxjersey/ . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season.For the first time, an NFL official has acknowledged a link between American football and a degenerative brain disease. Jeff Miller, the NFLs vice-president of health and safety, was speaking at a discussion organised by the US House Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, which debated the link between the sport and brain diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy - commonly known as CTE.CTE is a degenerative condition, which has been described as having Alzheimer-like symptoms, leading to memory loss, increased irritability and mood changes. The answer to that question is certainly yes, Miller said when asked if he thought there was a link.However, he added that at this stage, it is unclear how this would affect the future of American football, also telling the committee that the wider scope of the issue needs to be addressed. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) has attended meetings on head trauma in the past Certainly, based on Dr [Ann] McKees research, theres a link, because shes found CTE in a number of retired football players, added Miller.I think the broader point, and the one that your question gets to, is what it necessarily means and where to we go from here with that information.In the lead-up to this years Super Bowl, neurosurgeon Mitch Berger, who heads-up the NFLs sub-committee on long-term brain injury, had said that there was no link between football and CTE that could be established. Junior Seau was found to have suffered from CTE after his death in 2012 Bergers comments were referred to by Illinois representative Jan Schakowsky as peddling a false sense of security, in terms of downplaying the dangers of head trauma in the NFL. Custom Chicago White Sox Jerseys. What the American public needs now is honesty about the health risks and clearly more research, added Schakowsky.When answering his questions, Miller cited Boston University neuropathologist Dr McKee, and she revealed her own belief that there is no doubt there is a link.I unequivocally think theres a link between playing football and CTE, she said. Tyler Sash was found to have stage two CTE upon his death aged 27 in September Weve seen it in 90 out of 94 NFL players whose brains weve examined, weve found it in 45 out of 55 college players and six out of 26 high school players.It is the first time that the NFL has directly linked playing the game with CTE. It is a disease which can only be detected after death and has been found in players ,including former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide in 2012 aged 43.While the league has previously acknowledged that head trauma, particularly concussion, poses a risk to the long-term health of players, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other top officials havent taken definitive public stands on the matter. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '