Nine golfers with Alabama connections will take the field June 15 for the opening round of the 117th U.S.Open.

Two of the Alabama golfers will be making their first appearance in a major championship. 

Garrett Osborn, 32, was born in Birmingham and played at University of Alabama-Birmingham before turning pro in 2007.

Trey Mullinax, 24, is also a Birminham native.He turned pro in 2014.

Joining Osborn and Mullinax on the links are three pros who earned their berths through sectional qualifiers.

Bud Cauley, 27, was born in Florida but played college golf at University of Alabama.

Stewart Cink, 44, who hails from Huntsville, turned pro in 1995.

Ireland's Paul Dunne is an honorary son of Alabama, since he played for the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he was the college's top player his senior year, finishing fifth in individual competition at the 2015 NCAA Division I Championship.

And that's not all.

Four golfers with Alabama ties were entered into U.S.Open play automatically based on past performance.

Jason Dufner, 40, is a former PGA champion.He hails from Ohio but played golf for Alabama's Auburn University.

As a former Masters winner, Bubba Watson got a spot.The 38-year-old Florida native graduated from University of Georgia in 2008, but not before golfing at Alabama's Faulkner Community College.

Graeme McDowell will play in the U.S.Open by virtue of winning the tournament in 2010.He's from Northern Ireland but he golfed at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Justin Thomas, 24, golfed for University of Alabama too.The Kentucky native qualified by finishing well in last year's U.S.Open.

The 2017 U.S.Open takes place June 12 to 18 at the Erin Hills Golf Club in Erin, Wisconsin.

Photo: paulbr75