So close yet so far for Weir at Canadian Open
IN: News | US PGA | Bell Canadian Open (2004) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 13 Sep 2004
Whichever of the two playoff protagonists you were supporting in today's dramatic finale to the Bell Canadian Open, it would be impossible not to feel for the demise of crowd favourite, Mike Weir.
The 34-year-old Canadian had carried not only his own hopes for victory in the event, but those of a nation craving for a homegrown winner of the title for the first time in fifty years. He had done so from half way through the second round when he took control of the event from first round leader Joey Sindelar. Vijay Singh was, at that point, just one back, but when Weir extended his lead to three going into the final day, it appeared that the almost unbelievable will of a nation, might just get him through.
It may just be that the inspiration from the Canadian fans was also part of his downfall. Weir is undoubtedly a young man who can handle some rather difficult situations but the unparalleled nature of the crowds' support this week likely placed even greater pressure than would normally be the case in any other event on him and may have eventually caught up on him.
It was, however, a brilliant week for Weir and he let no-one down with what was a valiant attempt to keep the world's number one at bay.
Singh is simply irrepressible at present. Whether in front, or behind in a tournament, he seems to find away to contend every week. Until twelve months ago it was Tiger Woods who everyone was watching over their shoulder, now it is Singh who they will be wary of. Seven wins, a second, a third and five other top tens in twenty four starts in 2004, have Singh now at US$8.84 million for the season and just US$550,000 behind the then unbelievable figure that Woods set in 2000. With the nature and substance of the events still to play this season, and the form that Singh finds himself in, then it is reasonable to expect a record money year.
Despite an early double bogey today, Weir was out in one under 34 and at that point had moved two ahead of Singh who made birdies at the 8th and 9th holes to turn in two under 33. A birdie by Weir at the 10th saw him move three ahead but it was at that point that the dream of a local victory began to falter. There were several key moments over the closing holes no more so than at the converted par four 16th. The hole measures 485 yards and Weir had hit such a brilliant tee shot that he had just a short iron approach. When he hit that to ten feet it looked as if the tournament was his. After all, his lead was two at that point and was perhaps about to go to three. Five minutes later, after a three putt from such short range, Weir's lead was just one and when Singh was able to manufacture a superb birdie from a difficult situation left of the last green, Weir knew that he needed to birdie the final hole to win the tournament.
Weir found the greenside bunker with his approach at the 72nd hole and when his bunker shot finished twelve feet from the hole the message was clear. Make the putt or go into a playoff against the hottest player in the game. His putt flirted with the right edge but missed and so they headed back to the 18th tee for the first of the playoff holes.
Both birdied the first of the playoff holes with Weir finding the green brilliantly from the edge of the bunker. Both had eagle attempts but settled for birdies. They would both almost inexplicably bogey the second playoff hole from the middle of the fairway and so it was again to the 18th hole for what would become the decider.
Singh was again long and straight from the tee, but Weir found the right hand rough and was forced to lay up. From just over 100 yards with his third, Weir pulled his approach right, perhaps knowing that he had to go at the tucked pin to force a mistake from Singh, and it found the water. Singh with several shots up his sleeve made a solid par and it was all over.
For Weir, no doubt a great sense of disappointment as he will surely feel that he let not only himself down, but the adoring fans who so desperately wanted him to prevail. In the fullness of time he may well appreciate that he gave it his best shot, and at a time when his golf has not been the best of late, he lifted. It might be hard to convince Weir of that right now, but it was classic tournament golf.
The third place went to Joe Ogilvie who is slowly but surely developing into a very successful professional after a year back on the Nationwide Tour last year. This would be only his third top ten of the year, but Ogilvie now has more than US$1 million in earnings in 2004.
Justin Rose's last round 63 perhaps came a few weeks too late for Ryder Cup consideration, but it highlighted a young man feeling more and more comfortable on the USPGA Tour. Like Ogilvie his earnings also have gone beyond US$1 million in 2004.
Sharing fourth with Rose were a resurgent Tom Lehman who recorded his first top ten in more than twelve months, Stewart Cink and rookie Hunter Mahan who is really putting together some good tournaments of late.
The leading Australasian was Mark Hensby who, despite two late bogeys, recorded yet another top ten in a breakout season for him. His earnings in 2004 are now US$2.2 million.
Craig Perks was 26th, Greg Chalmers 40th, Grant Waite 70th and Andre Stolz 77th.
The USPGA Tour heads to San Antonio for the Texas Open while those involved head to Oakland Hills for what promises to be a fascinating Ryder Cup.
