In a scene reminiscent of a 21-gun salute, the U.S. Open will remember its defending champion Wednesday by splashing golf balls into the Pacific Ocean.

An early morning ceremony honoring the late Payne Stewart will be held at the picturesque 18th hole, which hugs the jagged coastline at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

``I think the majority of us are still in disbelief that Payne Stewart is not here,'' said Paul Azinger, one of Stewart's closest friends. ``We've all been affected and impacted in a big way, and all been impacted in a different way. I think just getting on an airplane now is different now than it was for all of us.''

Stewart won his second U.S. Open a year ago at Pinehurst, N.C., making a 15-foot putt on the 18th hole to beat Phil Mickelson by one stroke. Four months later, the champion was dead, along with five others, in a freak plane crash.

``It's very difficult for me to think about last year, because it was a very emotional week,'' Mickelson said. ``I will always remember what took place on 18 last year, vividly.''

After making the clinching putt on Father's Day, Stewart pulled Mickelson aside and reminded him there are more important things in life. ``There's nothing like being a daddy,'' Stewart said.

A day later, Mickelson's wife gave birth to the couple's first child.

``Payne made it very apparent that that was what was more important to him, too,'' Mickelson said Tuesday. ``I feel very fortunate to be able to have those valuable memories. I will always remember those and cherish those.''

Stewart's widow, Tracy, is scheduled to speak at the half-hour ceremony, as will Azinger and USGA president Trey Holland. All players are invited to attend and hit simultaneous shots into the ocean as a final tribute to Stewart.

``I heard (NBC broadcaster) Roger Maltbie say this is really golf's last opportunity to say goodbye to Payne,'' Azinger said. ``It's hard to imagine, but I think he might be right.

``Even though it's only 30 minutes, I think we just need to honor the defending champion, and the man himself, one more time.''