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Viral Highlights: Robot golf and Orlando Bloom’s video inception

By Mel Peck

July 4, 2013 | 4 min read

In a week when the nation’s eyes have been glued to the goings on at Wimbledon and to the closing stages of the Lions tour to Australia, it seems that our interest for sport does not stop there as golf gets it’s fair share of attention in this week’s Viral Brand Chart.

Rory vs the Robot – The European Tour releases the latest video in their Every Shot Imaginable campaign, which focuses on various different pro golfers trying their hand at a series of impressive and unconventional trick shots, aimed at testing their precision & skill.

This latest video features championship winner and former World Number one golfer Rory McIlroy, up against what may be his most challenging opponent yet – Jeff, the robot (or Laboratory Computer Controlled Hitting Machine).

The aim – hitting a golf ball into a washing machine, a feat that shouldn’t be too much work for McIlroy, considering this was a trick he used to perform as a child with his mum’s washer.

However, the challenge comes when Jeff takes matters in to his own hands (or the robot equivilant of ‘hands’), employing some sneaky tactics.

The accuracy employed by not only the robot, but McIlroy as well, is particularly impressive, however the real appeal of this video lies with Jeff (voiced by comedian Geoff Norcott) and his quips & attitude.

The video has managed to clock up over 2.3 million views and over 16,000 Twitter & Facebook shares in less than a week, but despite this valiant effort it still hasn’t been enough to knock Red Bull from the top of the chart, with Danny MacAskill’s Imaginate bike stunts. Also trending in the brand chart this week is another sporting offering, this time from BT Sport, featuring the likes of Ferdinand, Hart, Van Persie, Sturridge and other familiar faces from the world of football, being challenged to a game of ‘Beat the Bin’.

Moving over to the UGC chart – Orlando Bloom's farewell to his iconic character Legolas has gone viral on his last day on-set for There And Back Again. Not only because it was uploaded from Peter Jackson's own YouTube account, but it also had an extra viral ingredient - remixing a viral remix. The actor, dressed in full Legolas costume, sings along to the 2006 online sensation “Taking The Hobbits To Isengard”. Ringers are already requesting the 10 hrs long video!

Also trending in this week’s UGC & Entertainment chart – A giant fly causes havoc on the set of the Graham Norton show, leading to demonstrations of several unusual fly catching techniques, and a heart warming moment is caught on film as a deaf 3-year-old boy hears his father’s voice for the very first time.For all of the chart news and the full run down of the most shared online videos this week, check out The Drum Viral Video Chart, powered VAN, or follow @JoinVan to stay up to date with the latest industry news and YouTube gossip. Join the Viral Chart mailing list for weekly updates on top trending videos!

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