In The Sporting World,

IN THE SPORTING WORLD, momentum sometimes switches back and forth for no apparent reason. In the 1999 United States Open, Payne Stewart gained a slight advantage at the very last moment.

The former Southern Methodist University golfer led by one stroke over Phil Mickelson as the tournament entered its final day. Playing in the Open’s last pairing, the duo battled neck and neck over the back nine. Mickelson pulled even on No. 10 on Stewart’s bogey and went in front on No. 12 when his partner carded a second one.

Payne, clad in his signature knickers, regained a stroke with a birdie at 13 but lost it by bogeying 15. Mickelson seemed in command at the 16th, but he missed a 6-foot putt and took his only bogey of the day. Stewart, on the other hand, sank a 25-footer to save par and reclaimed the lead on 17 with a birdie.

On the final hole, Stewart drove into the rough. With no choice but to punch out, his second shot left him 77 yards from the green. Payne grabbed his wedge and lofted the ball high in the air, stopping it 15 feet short of the pin. After lining up his putt, he rolled the ball into the center of the hole just as church bells chimed in the distance. Stewart shot an even-par 70 for the day and finished at 279. Mickelson ended one stroke behind.

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POINT How fitting it was for Payne Stewart to win the U.S. Open on Father’s Day. His own father influenced his love of the game, and Stewart loved his children, Chelsea and Aaron. The Lord’s favor shone on the 42-year-old golfer, who was wearing a WWJD bracelet that day, demonstrating his dedication to ask, “What Would Jesus Do?”

Maybe you’ve wondered how you could live up to Jesus’ high standards. It probably seems impossible. And it is . . . without God’s help. The good news is that the heavenly Father sends the Holy Spirit to remind you of everything Jesus said.

GOAL! Isn’t it cool that God has a plan to help you act more like Jesus? Whenever you ask yourself, “What Would Jesus Do?” remember that the answer is already inside you. Then praise God for sending the Holy Spirit.