He wasnt able to lead the International team to a victory, but Graham DeLaet leaves his first Presidents Cup having gained a lot of respect and plenty of praise. Thats especially true after winding up his Sunday in dramatic fashion by holing his final shots on 18 in both his matches. Its not as if Canadians werent aware of DeLaets talent; after all, hes been the top Canuck for a few years now. You knew hed become mainstream in his home country when you stopped hearing "De-Lay." Hard-core golf fans elsewhere have also known about his remarkable ball-striking and accuracy off the tee, evident just by looking at his name at the top of so many statistical categories. They also watched as he performed well in the FedEx Cup playoffs, his beard lengthening each week. But its fair to say that this event will be DeLaets coming out party to the rest of the golf world. TV announcers have been singing his praises all week with Golf Channels Brandel Chamblee calling him the best ball-striker in the world right now. Johnny Miller was positively gushing at his talents and even Jack Nicklaus gave a nod to the Canadian. "I thought he played great," said the Golden Bear. "I talked to him on the first tee today and I said to him, Graham, the way youve played this week, I think this will mean an awful lot to your career." Hes also gained the respect of both captains here this week. "Hes fun to watch," said Fred Couples. "He hits it a long way, he putts well. You know, hes just a very good player." "Hes a hell of a player," said Nick Price. "I think Canada has a lot to look forward to the next 10 or 12 years or so, watching him play, because hed definitely major championship material." The enthusiasm he displayed all week was positively effervescent. On Thursday when his partner Jason Day rolled in a winning putt, DeLaet almost took Days arm off with the high five. When his putt dropped on Sunday morning in the match against Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley he reacted as if hed just scored in overtime to win the Stanley Cup. He managed to do it again in his singles match against Jordan Spieth, this time holing it from the bunker to win his match 1-up. "I executed them both well, but theres some luck involved as well," he admitted. "I mean, its super exciting to finish like that; to win the match here and then to halve the match this morning, it makes it even better." In addition to all the attention, its clear to see DeLaet gained a bushel full of confidence playing this Presidents Cup. Not that he was short on self-belief, but matching games with the best Americans and being one of the top point producers on the International team can only help when he returns to action on the PGA Tour in a few weeks in Las Vegas. "I definitely believe that deep inside, I feel a little more confidence in myself now," admitted DeLaet. "These are the best players in the world and this American team is just loaded with talent. To be able to come in here and play well against them means a lot." While the individual performance was tremendous, DeLaet admitted to disappointment at not being able to help his team break the long drought in the competition. Despite a record of 3-1-1 for the Canadian, once again, the Internationals were humbled by the Yanks, losing 18.5 to 15.5. "Thats the thing. Were here as a team to try and win this thing as a team and its great to play well, but its going to be tough going into that locker room and seeing all those guys," said DeLaet. "I mean, Im sure well have a couple of drinks tonight and just celebrate the friendships and everything that weve made." Its quite clear that when DeLaet leaves that locker room and the Presidents Cup and Muirfield Village, hell do so as a different player. Things wont be the same any more. This is a bona fide star on the rise. USA Soccer Gear .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. USA Soccer Store . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . Mauer struck out to end the inning, with a runner on third base in the seventh on Wednesday and the Twins trailing 1-0. Everybody does this, of course, in a sport with a 30 per cent success rate at the plate long proven to be a benchmark of excellence. Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys . -- Chad Labelle scored the winner 17:36 into the third period to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday and lift the Tigers into the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. USA Soccer Jerseys 2019 . The Wild, playing their first game since leading scorer Mikko Koivu broke his ankle Saturday at Washington, have won three straight for the first time since Nov. 1-5. Koivu underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss at least four weeks.SAITAMA, Japan - A memorable first for Mark Hunt.In a battle of hard-hitting heavyweights, Hunt (10-8-1) proved the superior striker, becoming the first MMA fighter to ever knock out Roy (Big Country) Nelson (20-10). He used a crushing uppercut to score a second-round knockout of Nelson in the main event UFC Fight Night on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena.Hunt and Nelson went toe-to-toe from the start, with each scoring massive punches that threatened to end the fight at any moment. Nelson, the superior wrestler, also looked to take the fight to the floor on a handful of occasions, but Hunt was able to stay on his feet through the opening round.As the second round began, Nelson finally dragged the fight to the floor, but Hunt rolled and bucked until he shook free and got back on his feet.The 40-year-old from New Zealand, known as the Super Samoan, then began to time Nelsons attacks. When Nelson tried again to take the fight to the ground, Hunt countered with a massive uppercut that sent Nelson crashing face-first to the canvas.Hunt walked away with his hands raised while referee Leon Roberts signalled the end of the fight at the 3:00 mark of the second and awarded Hunt the TKO.Hunt, now 5-1-1 in his past seven appearances, appears certain to receive a marquee booking in his next fight. When asked who hed like to face next, Hunt simply replied, Anyone in the top-10.In the nights co-feature, Myles Jury (15-0) registered the biggest win of his career, taking out Japanese legend Takanori Gomi (35-10) in just 92 seconds.Jury came out firing kicks, but as he settled into a rhythm, it was his hands that did the damage. AAfter avoiding a few wild Gomi haymakers, Jury scored flush with a right hand, putting Gomi down.ddddddddddddJury then pounced and sealed the first-round win with a flurry of punches.To come to Japan for the first time and have a win over a veteran like Gomi is amazing, Jury said after the fight. Its a great stepping stone in my career.The 25-year-old Jury is now 6-0 in the UFC.Despite fighting for the first time in more than two years, the 39-year-old Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-5) looked in peak form. He dominated Amir Sadollah (6-5) en route to a dominant decision.Sadollah tried his best to kickbox the judo master but Akiyama was able to get inside and take the fight to the floor in all three rounds. From there, Sadollah struggled to regain his feet and suffered the loss by a unanimous decision. Akiyama had 30-27 scores on all three judges cards.I was reassured that this is where I belong, Akiyama said after the win.In a womens bantamweight matchup, former title challenger Miesha Tate (15-5) won by decision over newcomer Rin Nakai (16-1-1). And while Tate was awarded scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27, the victory didnt come without some challenging moments.Tate used her height and reach advantage to strike from range but the stocky Nakai still managed to get inside and twice took her opponents back. Tate, however, turned aside each advance and controlled most of the action en route to the unanimous-decision.I wanted to keep enough distance between us and not get caught by her takedowns, Tate said. I was trying to be strategic and aggressive but not overzealous.I had to be careful when she was on my back. ' ' '