Weir takes lead at Mercedes-Benz
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championship | Round Two | 05 Jan 2008
Mike Weir, who is playing the Mercedes-Benz Championship for the sixth occasion, has created an opportunity to win the season opener for the first time with a second round of 67 to give him a one shot lead over fellow Canadian, Stephen Ames, and Jonathan Byrd.
“Packed and unpacked boxes, that’s what I did,” said Weir when asked what he had been doing in Salt Lake City since moving there.
“We moved into a new place, so I was really just busy with that. I didn’t have a chance to do much. I was down in Carlsbad at TaylorMade for about three days in early December, and other than that, I wasn’t able to practice a whole lot.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, obviously. Three and a half years was a long time to wait. Since my first year on Tour it’s been the longest stretch without winning. It was a tough few years, but I feel like things are back on track. And yeah, it was great to win and play so well at the end of the year. It was real important for my confidence, so I feel good about this year.”
Weir, who is in Hawaii courtesy of a late season form reversal that saw him win the Fry’s Electronics Open in Scottsdale, recorded a bogey-free round of four birdies and an eagle at the 9th after his three wood second finished 15 feet from the hole.
A 20 foot birdie putt at the par five last completed a round that saw him move from his overnight 6th position to the one shot lead he now enjoys.
Like Weir, it took Ames until late in the 2007 season to ensure he would be at Kapalua, his win at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Florida in November ensuring a third trip to the Mercedes championship.
Jonathan Byrd, who is playing the event for the first time since 2005, birdied three of his last four holes to grab a share of second.
Brandt Snedeker and first round leader, Nick Watney, share fourth place while Aaron Baddeley is in a five way tie for 6th following a second round of 71 that has him well poised three shots behind the leader.
