Weir vs. Woods: Which Mike Shows Up

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So far, despite being the second lowest ranked player at the Presidents Cup, Mike Weir has been the standout for the International squad. Not that it has been overly difficult — Vijay has been erratic, Adam Scott looks like he’d rather be somewhere else, Ernie Els can’t putt anymore and Retief Goosen’s driver has disappeared.

That really meant there was hardly anyone to face off against Woods, who has played hot and cold throughout the week. So Mike Weir it is:

Their best player has been Mike Weir, their lowest-rated soldier in the world rankings going in who has come up big on his home turf. His reward for some very good golf is to take on Tiger Woods in today’s singles, to try to do what Greg Norman couldn’t do in Australia in 1998 and what Ernie Els couldn’t do in South Africa in 2003. Neither of those worthies could beat Woods and they were a lot closer to the top of the golf world at the time.

Weir deserves this shot, though. Has earned it. He may have come here looking for his best game, but he produced it and nobody else in his team room can say that. The Americans, by contrast, have a half-dozen players firing on all cylinders. (Source)

What’s my take? Well I thought coming into the PC that it could be a make it or break it exercise for the Canadian lefty — bringing him back to the top or proving his new swing can’t hold up under pressure. To this point Weir has looked rock solid — far better than his playing partners. My guess is that he puts on a good showing against Woods — maybe even knocking him off — and that will provide a big boost to his confidence.

However, it won’t matter in the end — the U.S.’ drubbing of the International squad yesterday made today a moot point.