Graham DeLaet was out on the practice range working on his game on Monday morning, preparing for his first U.S. Open. Its almost hard to believe that the player ranked 32nd in the world, who has earned more than $2 million this year, dazzled at last years Presidents Cup and has 16 top-10 finishes in the last three years, is just now completing the career slam - in terms of playing them, that is. Sometimes we forget that as good as he is, hes still relatively young in terms of being at the elite level. His talent exceeds his experience at this point of his career, which isnt necessarily a bad thing. Still, he does know a good course when he sees one. Having toured around the back nine at the famed No. 2 course here at Pinehurst, DeLaet quickly pronounced it to be a favourite. "It automatically went into my top 10 of all time," said the lone Canadian entrant in the American championship this year. "Its a great test, its an awesome old-style golf course and its going to be a lot of fun." Fun? The U.S. Open? Yep, this is definitely his maiden voyage in this tournament. While he hasnt been playing it, DeLaet, of course, has been an avid viewer of the American championship, and he knows that unlike most of the past, oh, 50 or 60, U.S. Opens, this year there is no long, punishing rough lining the fairways. Instead, Pinehurst has been returned to its original design, thanks to Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, with scruffy waste areas full of wiregrass bushes on the borders of the short grass. Its something that DeLaet says could prove to be a bit of a lottery for those who stray from the fairway. "This is my first U.S. Open but Ive watched in on TV for years," he said, "and its always been the deep rough and this year there is no rough at all. But the waste area or whatever you call it, sometimes you can get in there and have a pretty clear shot and get a lot of club on it and you can get in there and have a lot of bad breaks as well." DeLaet believes that hitting it into the scruffy section - officially, native areas - will give you about a 50 per cent chance of having a good lie. You might be able to play the shot like a fairway bunker or you might end up behind a tuft of grass that will mean chipping out sideways. The frustration levels could rise significantly if a player gets enough of the bad lies. DeLaet knows that too will be a big part of surviving the week, keeping his patience at an even level and trying to survive the mental test that is a big part of this event. Along with the predicted high temperatures, it will be a tough task for any player to keep their minds focused at all times. While DeLaet is working on his mental side, his physical appears to be in order. He was forced to miss the Memorial two weeks ago with a sore leg, something he now feels is on the mend. "I just kind of had a strained tendon on the outside of my right foot," he stated. "It wasnt extremely painful or anything like that but I just knew if I kept playing - and walking on uneven slopes is the worst for it. And Memorial unfortunately is up and down. I mean thats one of my favourite golf courses and I love that tournament and I have good vibes going in there. It killed me to miss that tournament but I knew for the rest of the year I had to be smart and I just didnt make it worse and over the last couple of weeks with some rest, it has gotten a lot better." While this has been a good year for the Saskatchewan native, he has been in search of more consistency on the greens. In the second round of the Players, he switched to a left-hand-low putting grip that he was practicing with on Monday, under the watchful eye of short game coach Gabriel Hjertstedt. Its just one more little thing he hopes will unlock the mystery that is putting. DeLaet is also hoping that he can bring his game around in a big event. While hes posted six top-10s this year, including consecutive runner-up finishes at Torrey Pines and Phoenix, he missed the cut in both the Masters and the Players. Its understandable as he adjusts to tougher set-ups and deeper fields, but this is where he wants to perform, this is where he wants to be contending. Hell get that opportunity starting at 1:36 on Thursday afternoon. Brandon Parker Jersey . -- Canadian womens amateur golf champion Brooke Henderson is a little less starstruck as she prepares for her second career appearance at an LPGA Tour major event. Dwayne Harris Raiders Jersey . A little more than one year after missing a last-second tip-in that would have given the Wolverines a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, the 6-foot-8 forward scored on a layup with 7. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elit...Raiders-Jersey/. Since coming to the big leagues in late May, La Stella is 6 for 7 with the bases loaded, driving in 13 runs in those at-bats. Johnny Townsend Jersey . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. Kyle Wilber Raiders Jersey . LOUIS -- To stay a step ahead of goaltenders, T.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant expects to be exhausted by the end of Atlantas NFC South showdown Sunday at New Orleans.Drew Brees, the Saints eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, is renowned for sidestepping pressure and picking defences apart.In the series, Brees is 13-4 with 35 touchdowns and 19 interceptions and has won seven of eight starts against Atlanta at the Superdome.Thats a bad matchup for the Falcons, who rank last in sacks, last in pass defence and last in third-down efficiency.Weve got to cover for longer, Trufant said Thursday. And when he throws it up there, go make plays.If only it were that easy.For Atlanta (5-9) to keep its division title hopes alive with a victory at New Orleans (6-8), Trufant knows the defence must clamp down its coverage on All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and a dynamic receiving corps led by Marques Colston and Kenny Stills.The Falcons arent as healthy as they were in Week 1, when reserve cornerback Robert McClain picked off Brees in the third quarter and William Moore stripped away the ball from Colston in overtime.Those turnovers led to a touchdown and the game-winning field goal, but this time Atlanta will face New Orleans with starting cornerback Robert Alford on injured reserve and Moore expected to play with a foot injury.I think were going to be ready as far as what Drew brings, Moore said. Hes a different breed. Every time we play him, he gives us everything. Thats one thing they focus on — extending plays and getting receivers open. He doesnt go to the first one. He looks for the play downfield first.For coach Mike Smith, stopping Brees begins with shutting down New Orleans rushing attack and limiting the play choices of Saints coach Sean Payton.The Falcons looked better against the run last week despite losing at home to Pittsburgh. They held LeVeon Bell, the leagues seecond-leading rusher, to just 2.dddddddddddd4 yards per attempt on 20 carries.Against New Orleans, Atlanta will face the trio of Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas, who lead a ground game that averages over 120 yards per game to rank ninth.Sean wants to run the football, Smith said. It sets up his passing game. It sets up his ability to throw the ball down field.Graham and Colston are both big, strong and fast and have traditionally caused the Falcons smaller defensive backs fits.Trufant says the Falcons are promising each other not to get frustrated if and when Brees connects.Jimmy Graham is obviously a mismatch player, Trufant said. Colston has been doing it for years. Weve just got to be solid. We know theyre going to take their shots, try to blow the top off, so we have to keep them in front and make plays.The key will be to force turnovers when those chances are presented.Atlanta picked off 12 passes and recovered three fumbles over a six-game stretch before creating no takeaways in losses the last two weeks.Getting a couple of turnovers against the Saints could help keep the score close.I dont think theres been but one game down in New Orleans that its been more than a one-score game since weve been here, said Smith, now in his seventh season with the Falcons. I think its the same thing when they come to Atlanta. Its going to be a competitive football game.Notes: WR Julio Jones, the NFLs second-leading wideout, has been unable to practice for the last two weeks because of a hip injury and was not on the field again Thursday. Smith said that Jones will be a game-time decision. ... RG Jon Asamoah (back) did not participate for the second straight day. ... (Moore, WR Roddy White (knee) and WR Harry Douglas (foot) were limited participants.___Online:AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Jerseys NFL Cheap Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2020 ' ' '