Saskatoon – Canadian PGA Tour star and Weyburn, Sask. native Graham DeLaet, along with his wife Ruby, have announced the launch of the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation, as well as the Foundation’s first initiative, the ‘Graham Slam.’

The Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation’s central focus will be supporting children’s health, as well as supporting the development of junior golfers at all levels of the game.

Graham and Ruby DeLaet have a long-standing support of children’s health and junior golf in Saskatchewan. Since 2011, the Graham DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament has supported Saskatchewan-based organizations, such as Golf Saskatchewan and the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation. The launch of the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation will be the new umbrella brand that drives the DeLaet’s charitable efforts.

“I know how lucky I am to be playing on the PGA Tour, and I would not be here without the support of everyone back home,” said Graham DeLaet. “It is important to Ruby and I that we do what we can to give back to those who need it the most. We hope that through this Foundation, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of children.”

“We wanted to ensure we always remember where Graham came from and the people that supported him through his journey,” said Ruby DeLaet. “It’s important that our Foundation represents Graham’s roots and keeps Canada and Saskatchewan close to his heart. Now is the right time in Graham’s career to launch a Foundation and give back.”

Graham and Ruby also announced the Foundation’s first initiative, the Graham Slam, to be held this July 8th and 9th at Saskatoon’s Riverside Country Club. The Graham Slam will combine entertainment, music and golf to provide a memorable charity event experience.

The inaugural Graham Slam will partner with the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan is a provincial charity dedicated to raising funds for the enhancement of children’s healthcare, and the creation of the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan is one of only two provinces in Canada that does not have a dedicated children’s hospital.

“The Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan is thrilled to be the charity recipient of the first Graham Slam event. We congratulate Graham and Ruby DeLaet on the launch of their Foundation, and for thinking of the children and families of Saskatchewan through their contribution to the new Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan. What a wonderful way to give back to the province where Graham was born and raised,” stated Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Those interested in becoming involved with the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation or the Graham Slam event can contact Amy Roberts at aroberts@sportboxgroup.com.

PINEHURST, N.C. – Talk about the impatience of youth. For 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, it’s no longer good enough to be in contention for a major championship.

He’s ready to win one.

Spieth was tied for the 54-hole lead at both the Masters and The Players Championship, the two biggest events on the schedule so far, but he couldn’t hold it together on Sunday.

Now, he comes to the U.S. Open fully convinced that if he’s in the same position, he’ll be the one raising the trophy at the end.

“I believe that I can win this golf tournament,” Spieth said Monday after a practice round at Pinehurst No. 2. “I feel comfortable on this golf course. I think it fits my game. And when I step on the first tee, that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Spieth already became the first teenage winner on the PGA Tour since the Great Depression, having captured the John Deere Classic at age 19.

If the Texan can conquer Pinehurst this week, he’d be the youngest major champion since Tom Creavy at the 1931 PGA Championship.

“I’ve contended now,” Spieth said. “If I can get into that position, the goal isn’t just to feel the feelings and try to get the comfort level. Now, it’s to really try and put into place what Augusta as well as The Players have taught me.

“I feel like,” he added confidently, “I will be able to close this one out if I get an opportunity.”

The U.S. Open is usually the toughest test among the majors, requiring a player to accept that par is a good score on most holes, that bogey isn’t necessarily a bad result.

This is a tournament where you put away the ego, save those spectacular shots for another week, and know that the player who emerges as the champion will most likely be the one who makes the fewest mistakes.

Those traits usually require experience. Then again, Spieth has proven to have a very short learning curve.

He has already played in the Presidents Cup. He has already climbed to No. 10 in the world rankings. He already sounds like a seasoned pro when he talks about Pinehurst.

“It’s really hard to hit the greens,” Spieth said. “You know that going in, and you understand that it’s about where you’re leaving it and where you’re pitching the ball and the approach shots. It still doesn’t necessarily help. It’s still extremely difficult.”

At Augusta National, Spieth had a win in his sights when he walked off the seventh green with a two-stroke lead on Sunday.

Then, his inexperience suddenly showed. What he thought was a perfect wedge on No. 8 came up 25 feet short of the flag, leading to a three-putt bogey.

The approach at No. 9 rolled back off the front of the green, leading to another bogey.

Bubba Watson birdied both holes, turning a two-shot deficit into a two-stroke lead. He was never seriously challenged on the back side, cruising to a three-stroke win over Spieth and Jonas Blixt.

Spieth talked about the need for a “little bit of course knowledge” – certainly understandable for a Masters rookie. He was in contention again at the Players, generally considered the most important event among the non-majors, but five bogeys in an 11-hole stretch allowed Martin Kaymer to leave TPC Sawgrass with the title.

“I learned a lot from both experiences,” Spieth said.

“I felt like I struck the ball better, played smarter shots at The Players. I just got bounces that didn’t go my way. So coming in here, that’s all behind me. I’ve gotten what I think I needed to learn from those experiences, and I will put that into account if I can work my way into contention here.”

Those kids. Always in a hurry.

PINEHURST, N.C. – Phil Mickelson not only believes he’s going to win the U.S. Open, he believes he’s going to win more than one.

He just wouldn’t say whether it would be this year.

Pinehurst No. 2 holds an emotional connection for Mickelson for a couple of reasons. It was the first of his record six runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open, and his first child was born the day after Payne Stewart made a 15-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to beat him by one shot. What gets overlooked is that Mickelson tied for 33rd and was 12 shots behind when the U.S. Open returned to Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005.

And here’s something else to consider: Mickelson never fares too well the year after his runner-up finish. He will try to change that trend at Pinehurst No. 2 this week.

What follows is a look at Lefty’s encores at the U.S. Open after his five previous silver medals:

—

5. PEBBLE BEACH IN 2000

Mickelson was runner-up at Pinehurst in 1999 in what became a lost year on the golf course. That was the first full year he failed to win a PGA Tour event. The following year, he already had won three times before the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

He had won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am two years earlier. Surely, he would be considered a major contender.

But this was the Tiger Woods show.

Woods, who had won the AT&T earlier that year with a five-shot comeback, went wire-to-wire in what many consider the greatest U.S. Open performance ever. He set a major championship record with a 15-shot victory.

As for Mickelson? He never had to birdie three of his last six holes just to shoot par in the opening round. He never broke par all week and tied for 16th, 19 shots behind.

—

4. OLYMPIA FIELDS IN 2003

Mickelson finished three shots behind Woods at Bethpage Black in the 2002 U.S. Open. By then, he was clearly the best player to have never won a major.

The 2003 season started poorly for him, and for good reason. His wife, Amy, gave birth to their third child at the end of March. It was a difficult pregnancy, and there was a time when Mickelson feared he might lose his wife and son, Evan, in the hours after he was born.

Olympia Fields was soft that year because of rain. Mickelson opened with rounds of 70-70 to fall seven shots behind. He had weekend rounds of 75-74 and tied for 55th, which left him 17 shots behind Jim Furyk.

That remains the only year Mickelson didn’t win or even have a second-place finish.

—

3. PINEHURST NO. 2 IN 2005

Mickelson had another close call in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in 2004. He was tied for the lead with two holes to play until three-putting from 5 feet on the par-3 17th to make double bogey and losing to Retief Goosen.

He was a popular favorite at Pinehurst, with memories still fresh from his runner-up finish to Stewart in 1999. He had top-10 finishes in five straight majors. He opened with a 69, two shots out of the lead and one of only nine players to break par.

And it was all downhill from there. Mickelson followed with a 77, closed with rounds of 72-74 and tied for 33rd, 12 shots behind Michael Campbell.

—

2. OAKMONT IN 2007

Coming off his most devastating U.S. Open loss at Winged Foot in 2006 – he made double bogey on the 18th hole to finish one shot behind – Mickelson had plenty of momentum going into the 2007 Open at Oakmont.

He had hired Butch Harmon as his swing coach, and won The Players Championship.

But a scouting trip to Oakmont was his undoing. The rough was so thick that Mickelson says he injured his left wrist during one of his marathon practice sessions. He went nearly two weeks without playing before the opening round.

Mickelson shot rounds of 74-77 and missed the cut under the 10-shot rule when Angel Cabrera birdied his last hole of the second round. It was the first time Mickelson missed the cut in the U.S. Open since his pro debut at Pebble Beach in 1992.

—

1. PEBBLE BEACH IN 2010

Mickelson set the U.S. Open record with his fifth runner-up finish at Bethpage Black in 2009 due to a three-putt bogey from the fringe on the 15th hole. He won the Masters for the third time in 2010, and by now was a three-time winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

He had a chance to go to No. 1 in the world with a third-place finish. His only concern were the greens, which proved to be a problem by Sunday.

Mickelson started 75-66 and was two shots behind Graeme McDowell. And while he was seven shots behind Dustin Johnson going into the final round, he birdied his opening hole and was right in the mix when Johnson fell apart early.

Mickelson didn’t make a single birdie on the back nine. He tied for fourth, three shots behind McDowell.

PINEHURST, N.C. – Phil Mickelson always wanted to win a U.S. Open. With his victory last summer in the British Open, the U.S. Open is the only major keeping him from capturing the career Grand Slam.

Only five other players have done that. But he has not won in 11 months. And his only headlines lately have been links to an insider trading investigation involving investor Carl Icahn and gambler Billy Walters.

With all the attention on Mickelson, Masters champion Bubba Watson is the only player capable of a calendar Grand Slam. He is not to be dismissed lightly. Watson already has two wins this year, along with runner-up finishes in Phoenix, Doral and the Memorial.

Mickelson’s fate will be one of the major stories at this year’s U.S. Open. Here are five other things to watch for when play begins Thursday:

1. NATURE TRIP

The quality of Pinehurst No. 2 is best stated by the fact it is hosting the U.S. Open for the third time since 1999. Not since Chicago Golf Club (1897-1911) has the U.S. Open gone back to a golf course so frequently. It is considered the masterpiece of architect Donald Ross, famous for turtleback greens that repels shots away from the middle of the putting surface.

Pinehurst Resort owners signed off on a plan to have Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw restore the original, rustic look of No. 2. That means rough has been replaced by sandy areas dotted with small wiregrass bushes and covered in natural vegetation. It required the removal of 35 acres of sod, and only 450 sprinkler heads (down from 1,150) remain.

2. LET’S PLAY TWO

In what amounts to golf’s version of a doubleheader, the USGA is making history by staging the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open in consecutive weeks on the same golf course. Pinehurst will play at 7,562 yards (par 70) for the men, and 6,649 yards (par 70) for the women.

3. THE OTHER WOODS

There at least will be one player named Woods competing for a U.S. Open trophy. Cheyenne Woods qualified for her first U.S. Women’s Open on the same day her uncle, Tiger Woods, told the USGA he could not play the U.S. Open as he recovers from March 31 back surgery.

4. END OF AN ERA

This will be the last time Johnny Miller calls the shots. In a surprise move last year, the USGA accepted a 12-year offer worth about $1 billion from Fox Sports, which has never televised golf. This will be the final U.S. Open telecast by NBC Sports, ending a 20-year run with Miller as the lead analyst.

5. TOUGHEST TEST

The USGA tries to convince fans that it is not trying to protect par at the U.S. Open. The evidence tends to suggest otherwise. The winning scores at Pinehurst No. 2 have been 1-under 279 (Payne Stewart in 1999) and even-par 280 (Michael Campbell in 2005). The last two U.S. Opens were won with a score over par. If it happens at Pinehurst, it would be the first time in 45 years (1957-59) that three straight U.S. Open champions were over par.

Vancouver (Golf Canada) – The first of three 2014 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers took place Monday, June 9th at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver with eight players finishing 2-over par or better to advance to the Monday (Final) Qualifier for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.

A total of 44 players competed over 18 holes of stroke play at Marine Drive with the top-15 percent of the field and ties (top seven competitors and ties) advancing to the final Monday Qualifier to be held Monday, July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que

Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho claimed medalist honours after posting 1-under 70 to advance through to final qualifying.

Langley B.C.’s Adam Cornelson finished at even-par in solo second, while Dakota Robinson of Discovery Bay, Calif., Alex Francois of Burnaby, B.C., and David Byrne of Essex, Ont. finished at 1-over in a tie for third.

Rounding out the list of players advancing to the final Monday qualifier for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open were Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C., Roberto Lupini of Johannesburg, South Africa and Vancouver’s Ryan Williams after 2-over 74’s.

Click here for full scoring.

A three-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship features three regional qualifying competitions in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 21st.

The second regional qualifying event will be hosted by Elm Ridge Country Club in Île-Bizard, Que., on June 16th. The third and final regional qualifier will take place June 23rd at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont. A final qualifier will take place Monday July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que.

Each of the three regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes stroke play with the low qualifier at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open field (provided the starting field is a minimum of 100 competitors at each site.)  The top 15% of finishers at each regional qualifying competition are eligible to compete at final qualifying. In addition, the top 15% does not include the low qualifier when over 100 competitors participate and a direct exemption is provided.

All entries for the Quebec regional qualifier at Elm Ridge Country Club in Île-Bizard, Que. are due Monday, June 9th. The entry deadline for the Ontario regional qualifier at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont. is Monday, June 16th.

Final qualifying is scheduled for Monday, July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que. Participation is limited to those competitors receiving requisite exemptions, or individuals who have qualified through regional qualifying. The event will feature 18 holes of stroke play, with a minimum of four (4) spots directly into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open field. The entry deadline is Monday, July 14th.

The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers (with a current Handicap Factor not to exceed 2.0) who are members of clubs belonging to Golf Canada or clubs in other countries in good standing with their respective associations, and other golf professionals.

In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the seven (7) awarded through regional and final qualifiers are available for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Que.

Vancouver (Golf Canada) – The first of three 2014 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers took place Monday, June 9th at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver with eight players finishing 2-over par or better to advance to the Monday (Final) Qualifier for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.

A total of 44 players competed over 18 holes of stroke play at Marine Drive with the top-15 percent of the field and ties (top seven competitors and ties) advancing to the final Monday Qualifier to be held Monday, July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que

Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho claimed medalist honours after posting 1-under 70 to advance through to final qualifying.

Langley B.C.’s Adam Cornelson finished at even-par in solo second, while Dakota Robinson of Discovery Bay, Calif., Alex Francois of Burnaby, B.C., and David Byrne of Essex, Ont. finished at 1-over in a tie for third.

Rounding out the list of players advancing to the final Monday qualifier for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open were Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C., Roberto Lupini of Johannesburg, South Africa and Vancouver’s Ryan Williams after 2-over 74’s.

Click here for full scoring.

A three-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship features three regional qualifying competitions in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, followed by a final qualifying event on Monday, July 21st.

The second regional qualifying event will be hosted by Elm Ridge Country Club in Île-Bizard, Que., on June 16th. The third and final regional qualifier will take place June 23rd at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont. A final qualifier will take place Monday July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que.

Each of the three regional qualifiers will feature 18 holes stroke play with the low qualifier at each site receiving an exemption directly into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open field (provided the starting field is a minimum of 100 competitors at each site.)  The top 15% of finishers at each regional qualifying competition are eligible to compete at final qualifying. In addition, the top 15% does not include the low qualifier when over 100 competitors participate and a direct exemption is provided.

All entries for the Quebec regional qualifier at Elm Ridge Country Club in Île-Bizard, Que. are due Monday, June 9th. The entry deadline for the Ontario regional qualifier at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ont. is Monday, June 16th.

Final qualifying is scheduled for Monday, July 21st at Club de Golf St-Raphaël in Île-Bizard, Que. Participation is limited to those competitors receiving requisite exemptions, or individuals who have qualified through regional qualifying. The event will feature 18 holes of stroke play, with a minimum of four (4) spots directly into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open field. The entry deadline is Monday, July 14th.

The qualifying competition is open to members in good standing of the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers (with a current Handicap Factor not to exceed 2.0) who are members of clubs belonging to Golf Canada or clubs in other countries in good standing with their respective associations, and other golf professionals.

In all, a total of 24 exemptions, including the seven (7) awarded through regional and final qualifiers are available for the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Que.

PINEHURST, N.C. – Even in the best of times, Phil Mickelson has ample reason to expect the worst at the U.S. Open.

More than two decades of play in the major known as the toughest test in golf has produced everything from agony to aggravation, mostly torment, never triumph. And all Mickelson has to show from the U.S. Open are silver medals – a record six of them – for finishing second.

“He could have won six, and he hasn’t won one,” Ernie Els said. “I believe he’s going to win one. He’s still young enough. His game is still good enough.”

The U.S. Open took on even greater importance to the 43-year-old Mickelson last summer when he won the British Open at Muirfield, leaving him one major away _ the U.S. Open, of course _ from joining five other greats who have the career Grand Slam.

For all his heartache in golfs toughest test, his optimism hasn’t wavered.

Never mind that he has been linked to an insider trading investigation involving activist investor Carl Icahn and Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters, in which FBI agents paid him a visit after his first round at the Memorial. Or that Mickelson hasn’t won this year, his worst start to a season since 2003.

Mickelson not only believes he’s going to win the U.S. Open, he thinks he’s going to win more than one.

“Some people view it as though, ‘He’s come close and he’s never done it.’ I see it as though I’ve finished second six times in this event,” Mickelson said. “I played some of my best golf in this event, and I should have an opportunity – and more than one opportunity 0 to close one out here in the future.”

The U.S. Open returning to Pinehurst No. 2 only adds to the intrigue.

That’s where Mickelson picked up his first silver medal in 1999. He had a one-shot lead with three holes to play and had a 6-foot par putt on the 16th hole, while Payne Stewart was 25 feet away from par. Stewart made his putt, Mickelson missed and they were tied. Stewart took the lead with a short birdie on the 17th, then famously won the U.S. Open with a 15-foot par putt on the final hole.

No worries. Mickelson surely would get another chance, and he did.

He just doesn’t have the trophy.

Five years later, he was tied for the lead on the 17th hole at Shinnecock Hills when he hit into a bunker, blasted out to 5 feet and three-putted for double bogey.

“It was like being in a morgue walking up the 18th,” said Fred Funk, who was paired with him that day.

The most crushing blow was at Winged Foot in 2006. Mickelson had a one-shot lead on the 18th hole. His tee shot clanged off a corporate tent. The bigger mistake was going for the green with a 3-iron and hitting a tree. His third shot plugged in the bunker. His fourth shot raced across the green. He made double bogey and lost my one.

There was Mickelson, crouched on the green, hands cupped over his head. “I am such an idiot,” he said.

“Phil handled the whole thing like a true gentleman,” said Kenneth Ferrie, who played with him in the final pairing. “He had nice words to say to me coming off 18 and was amazingly courteous and polite to the volunteers and officials considering what had just happened.”

And yet he keeps coming back for more.

Sam Snead, who holds the PGA Tour record with 82 career wins, never won a U.S. Open. Lee Trevino never won the Masters. Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson never won the PGA Championship. Even so, none of those greats ever had as many chances to win the missing major as Mickelson.

Hunter Mahan paid him the ultimate respect at Bethpage Black in 2009. Mickelson was tied for the lead with four holes to play until missing short par putts on the 15th and 17th holes. Another U.S. Open bid over, Mickelson was walking up to the 18th green when Mahan _ who had just as good of a chance to win that day – began applauding, and thousands joined him.

Mahan has played with Mickelson twice on Sunday when Lefty was the runner-up. The other occasion was last year at Merion. Mickelson twice made bogey with a wedge in his hand on the back nine. His last hope was to chip in from 40 yards to force a playoff with Justin Rose. He missed.

“I looked at him and said, ‘Good try, Phil.’ You can only do what you can do,” Mahan said. “At some point, you’ve got to get a bounce or two and make a putt. I think he wants to win that tournament more than anything.”

The thought of Mickelson at Pinehurst stirs emotions. Stewart died in a freak plane crash four months after he won that U.S. Open. Mickelson carried a pager in his golf bag that week and pledged to withdraw if his wife went into labour. His first child, Amanda, was born the next day.

Fifteen years later, the pressure is only greater.

“Maybe it is his strength of mind, or his short game, that has enabled him to put himself in contention as so many times,” Ferrie said. “As each year has gone on and he has won other majors, the focus has become more and more about the U.S. Open. As a player, when you want something so much, it’s even more difficult to achieve. Yet he keeps giving himself a chance.”

PINEHURST, N.C.  — How well do you know the U.S. Open? Try this trivia quiz:

FRONT NINE (5 points each)

1. Where was the first U.S. Open played?

a.) Pinehurst No. 2

b.) Newport

c.) Shinnecock Hills

2. Who has the most majors without ever having won the U.S. Open?

a.) Phil Mickelson

b.) Harry Vardon

c.) Sam Snead

3. Which continent where golf is played has never produced a U.S. Open champion?

a.) Asia

b.) South America

c) Africa

4. Who has been runner-up at the U.S. Open the most times?

a.) Phil Mickelson

b.) Greg Norman

c.) Sam Snead

5. Who was the last U.S. Open champion who had to go through sectional qualifying?

a.) Michael Campbell

b.) Lucas Glover

c.) Lee Janzen

6. Who was the last U.S. Open champion to successfully defend his title?

a.) Ben Hogan

b.) Tiger Woods

c.) Curtis Strange

7. Who was the youngest U.S. Open champion?

a.) Rory McIlroy

b.) Johnny McDermott

c.) Gene Sarazen

8. Name the last player to shoot 63 in a U.S. Open.

a.) Johnny Miller

b.) Thomas Bjorn

c.) Vijay Singh

9. Who won the first major championship held at Pinehurst No. 2?

a.) Payne Stewart

b.) Jack Nicklaus

c.) Denny Shute

—

BACK NINE (10 points each)

10. Who is the only player to complete the career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open?

a.) Tiger Woods

b.) Gary Player

c.) Bobby Jones

11. Retief Goosen, Jason Gore and Olin Browne were the top three players after 54 holes at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005. What did they all have in common on Sunday?

a.) They all wore khaki trousers and a white shirt.

b.) They were spotted in the merchandise tent before the final round.

c.) None of them broke 80.

12. Who holds the U.S. Open record for most consecutive wins?

a.) Ben Hogan

b.) Curtis Strange

c.) Willie Anderson

13. Name the last U.S. Open champion to win in his first attempt.

a.) Michael Campbell

b.) Francis Ouimet

c.) Jack Fleck

14. Name the only player to lose a playoff three times in the U.S. Open.

a.) Phil Mickelson

b.) Sam Snead

c.) Arnold Palmer

15. Who was the last U.S. Open champion to never break par in any of the four rounds?

a.) Geoff Ogilvy

b.) Orville Moody

c.) Corey Pavin

16. Who is the oldest player to win the U.S. Open?

a.) Julius Boros

b.) Raymond Floyd

c.) Hale Irwin

17. What is the U.S. Open trophy called?

a.) The Havemeyer Trophy

b.) The Campbell Cup

c.) The U.S. Open Trophy

18. Name the only player to break par in three consecutive U.S. Opens?

a.) Curtis Strange

b.) Jack Nicklaus

c.) Lee Janzen

BONUS: 19th HOLE (25 points)

In the last 100 years, only one player has won the U.S. Open at the same course twice. Name him.

a.) Bobby Jones

b.) Jack Nicklaus

c.) Payne Stewart

—

ANSWERS

1. b

2. c

3. a

4. a

5. b

6. c

7. b

8. c

9. c

10. b

11. c

12. c

13. b

14. c

15. a

16. c

17. c

18. a

19. b

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane estimates he slept less than three hours in a night spent praying and thanking God that his game finally has come back around.

Then he played 30 holes Sunday in winning the St. Jude Classic for his first PGA Tour title since 2011, setting off a celebration that included hugging his caddie and high-fiving a reporter. Crane also choked back some tears as he looked at text messages filling his phone.

“Oh my gosh, it just keeps going,” Crane said, looking at his phone. “How many can a phone hold? This is so much fun”

Crane closed with a 3-over 73 for a one-stroke victory, going wire to wire for his fifth career victory. Rain delays forced him into the marathon session Sunday at TPC Southwind, finishing 12 holes in the morning in a third-round 69 to take a three-shot lead into the final round.

He two-putted for bogey on the final hole to finish at 10-under 270, days after failing to qualify for the U.S. Open. That marked a low point for the 38-year-old player who spent the past six months reworking his swing to protect his back wondering if his career was over. He spent time with a coach picturing the right way to hit shots.

Everything clicked Thursday with an opening 63.

“I did not expect the hole to open up like that and just start making putts from everywhere,” Crane said. “Just hit a lot of quality shots and obviously built a nice lead to start out with.”

Troy Merritt was second after a 71. Webb Simpson (65), Matt Every (70) and Carl Pettersson (69) were 8 under, and Ian Poulter had a 64 to tie for sixth at 7 under.

Merritt credited the best finish of his career to an improved short game.

“Ben played great,” Merritt said. “Hats off to him. Well deserved. He’s been struggling for a little while. Very happy for Ben.”

Phil Mickelson, among those tuning up for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, left winless in his 20th event since the British Open. He tied for 11th at 6 under after a 72.

Consecutive birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 put Mickelson at 8 under. But he bogeyed the next two, including the par-3 14th where he hit a 7-iron into the water in front of the green. He still finished much better than his tie for 49th at Memorial last week after an early visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation.

“The way I drove the ball last two rounds I had an opportunity to shoot really low,” Mickelson said. “My iron play was poor, and my putting was pathetic. I’ll have to make some changes and to get ready for next week. But the game is not far off because I’m driving the ball very well and putting it in play.”

Wind, thunderstorms, lightning and fog have delayed play each of the first three days. With more storms forecast, players started the final round almost immediately after concluding the third. They finished without single delay Sunday as the sun even came out as this tournament finished its 57th year without being shortened because of weather.

Crane had three bogeys in the final round, one more than he had through 54 holes. He became the first winner on tour without a birdie in his final round since Justin Leonard did it at Southwind in 2005.

He cruised along before two-putting for bogey on No. 6, dropping his lead to two strokes over Brian Harman and Merritt. Crane bogeyed No. 9 after hitting his tee shot into the rough. He couldn’t clear the rough with his next shot, and his third bounced to the rough behind the green.

Crane said he only glanced at the leaderboard a couple times.

“I just knew I was leading, and I knew Phil Mickelson was out there so,” Crane said. “And Phil’s a good friend, and he kind of gave me that, `I’m coming after you.'”

Merritt was the closest, within a stroke for six holes before putting his tee shot on the par-4 15th into the rough. He couldn’t roll the ball in from 15 feet to save par.

Crane strung together eight straight pars before going to the par-4 No. 18 with a two-stroke lead needing to avoid the water down the left side of the fairway. He did, though he did find the greenside bunker. Crane two-putted from 12 feet for the win. He earned $1,044,000.

Divots: Crane is the eighth player in this event’s history to win after having at least a share of the lead after every round. Lee Westwood was the last in 2010. … Crane also won the 2010 CIMB Classic before it became an official tour event.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ben Crane estimates he slept less than three hours in a night spent praying and thanking God that his game finally has come back around.

Then he played 30 holes Sunday in winning the St. Jude Classic for his first PGA Tour title since 2011, setting off a celebration that included hugging his caddie and high-fiving a reporter. Crane also choked back some tears as he looked at text messages filling his phone.

“Oh my gosh, it just keeps going,” Crane said, looking at his phone. “How many can a phone hold? This is so much fun”

Crane closed with a 3-over 73 for a one-stroke victory, going wire to wire for his fifth career victory. Rain delays forced him into the marathon session Sunday at TPC Southwind, finishing 12 holes in the morning in a third-round 69 to take a three-shot lead into the final round.

He two-putted for bogey on the final hole to finish at 10-under 270, days after failing to qualify for the U.S. Open. That marked a low point for the 38-year-old player who spent the past six months reworking his swing to protect his back wondering if his career was over. He spent time with a coach picturing the right way to hit shots.

Everything clicked Thursday with an opening 63.

“I did not expect the hole to open up like that and just start making putts from everywhere,” Crane said. “Just hit a lot of quality shots and obviously built a nice lead to start out with.”

Troy Merritt was second after a 71. Webb Simpson (65), Matt Every (70) and Carl Pettersson (69) were 8 under, and Ian Poulter had a 64 to tie for sixth at 7 under.

Merritt credited the best finish of his career to an improved short game.

“Ben played great,” Merritt said. “Hats off to him. Well deserved. He’s been struggling for a little while. Very happy for Ben.”

Phil Mickelson, among those tuning up for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, left winless in his 20th event since the British Open. He tied for 11th at 6 under after a 72.

Consecutive birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 put Mickelson at 8 under. But he bogeyed the next two, including the par-3 14th where he hit a 7-iron into the water in front of the green. He still finished much better than his tie for 49th at Memorial last week after an early visit from FBI agents and lingering questions about an insider-trading investigation.

“The way I drove the ball last two rounds I had an opportunity to shoot really low,” Mickelson said. “My iron play was poor, and my putting was pathetic. I’ll have to make some changes and to get ready for next week. But the game is not far off because I’m driving the ball very well and putting it in play.”

Wind, thunderstorms, lightning and fog have delayed play each of the first three days. With more storms forecast, players started the final round almost immediately after concluding the third. They finished without single delay Sunday as the sun even came out as this tournament finished its 57th year without being shortened because of weather.

Crane had three bogeys in the final round, one more than he had through 54 holes. He became the first winner on tour without a birdie in his final round since Justin Leonard did it at Southwind in 2005.

He cruised along before two-putting for bogey on No. 6, dropping his lead to two strokes over Brian Harman and Merritt. Crane bogeyed No. 9 after hitting his tee shot into the rough. He couldn’t clear the rough with his next shot, and his third bounced to the rough behind the green.

Crane said he only glanced at the leaderboard a couple times.

“I just knew I was leading, and I knew Phil Mickelson was out there so,” Crane said. “And Phil’s a good friend, and he kind of gave me that, `I’m coming after you.'”

Merritt was the closest, within a stroke for six holes before putting his tee shot on the par-4 15th into the rough. He couldn’t roll the ball in from 15 feet to save par.

Crane strung together eight straight pars before going to the par-4 No. 18 with a two-stroke lead needing to avoid the water down the left side of the fairway. He did, though he did find the greenside bunker. Crane two-putted from 12 feet for the win. He earned $1,044,000.

Divots: Crane is the eighth player in this event’s history to win after having at least a share of the lead after every round. Lee Westwood was the last in 2010. … Crane also won the 2010 CIMB Classic before it became an official tour event.