My latest MSN/Sympatico column is now online based on an interview with Mike on Sunday night.
Here’s a taste:
Mike Weir’s memories of Bethpage Black aren’t exactly positive.
On two rain-soaked days seven years ago, Weir shot two forgettable scores at the U.S. Open and went home to Utah. That week Bethpage got the best of many golfers, and Weir was among them. He’d make his breakthrough the following year “ winning The Masters and two other tournaments “ cementing him as one of the best in the world.
Now recently turned 39, Weir is a veteran. As an exacting golfer with a multi-dimensional short game, but without the ability to play the bomb-and-gauge game that has become part of the PGA Tour’s zeitgeist, Weir has to know the beast-like Bethpage might overwhelm him.
If he’s thinking that, Weir won’t admit it. He’s too tenacious, too up for the challenge. On Sunday night, just a few hours after landing in New York and driving down to take a good look around Bethpage, Weir feels he’s got a fair chance at tackling the Black Course.
“Everything feels good,” he says on the phone from his hotel. “Everything is clicking on all cylinders.”
“but it is tough to say the RCGA isn’t accomplishing something when these two sit atop the rankings.”
Yup…gotta be the RCGA.
Nick’s long time CPGA coach ( do you even know his name? )…NCAA Division 1 competition for 3 years…obviously not a factor.