Player picks Weir!!!!!!!

[jeffc]

Ames is gonna be pissed...

http://www.tsn.ca/golf/news_story/?ID=216072&hubname=

[B Nation]

I Love the Pick!! But probably just because I love Mike Weir.

I am so psyched to go to Montreal and watch this thing now!

Go Mikey!

[Golfbum]

Ames is gonna be pissed...

http://www.tsn.ca/golf/news_story/?ID=216072&hubname=

Somehow I doubt Ames will be pissed. If you recall he dissed Gary a year or so ago saying he was not that interested in playing on the Presidents Cup Team. I guess Gary did not forget that remark.

[Weazl]

SsssswwwweeeeettttttT!!!!!!!

[byerxa]

A pleasant surprise! I figured after bombing out this weekend Player would not pick him. But Mike is a good match play guy and has a good history in this event that Player remembers. Will make going there on the Saturday that much more enjoyable!

[spackler]

I think Ames would've played himself on with an even par round yesterday, wilting beside Tiger definitely wouldn't have helped. And the only reason Weir was picked was because of the location of the event. You will never see captain's picks used the same way in the Ryder Cup.

That said, I'm extemely happy to see Weir on the team. I wish he could have earned it, but I'm happy to see him there anyway.

[pvs1313]

problem is, he just doesn't belong there. not even close this year.

he was on a bit of a run but really, they should not pick just becuase it is in his home country.

Should have picked badderly

[EDSGOLF]

Great pic, Mikey is a more liked in Canada, the fans will go more crazy for him than Ames.

[Shivas Irons]

problem is, he just doesn't belong there. not even close this year.

Agreed. I'm looking forward to watching him compete in the event but I hope this doesn't set a precedent. I would hate to see a 'Canadian clause' for future events where host countries are guaranteed to have at least one of their own on the team.
However, it will certainly increase interest in the event for Canadians, and I think Mike will shoot the lights out.

[Paulio]

You heard it here first - This will get Mikey's career back on track!

[davevandyk]

Agreed. I'm looking forward to watching him compete in the event but I hope this doesn't set a precedent. I would hate to see a 'Canadian clause' for future events where host countries are guaranteed to have at least one of their own on the team.
However, it will certainly increase interest in the event for Canadians, and I think Mike will shoot the lights out.

This would not set a precedent, last Pres Cup, Player took Clark and Immelman when the event was in South Africa.

[The Shtick]

Don't get me wrong as I'm happy for Mikey...... but come on! It's Mike Weir! He's done absolutely nothing since his Masters win and that's the only thing that keeps him in anyone's mind. If Gary Player wanted the more consistant Canadian golfer, he should have chosen Stephen Ames.

In any case, I believe that neither player deserves to be on the team as far as skill goes. I am happy that there is a Canadian presence though.

[Hacker]

Don't get me wrong as I'm happy for Mikey...... but come on! It's Mike Weir! He's done absolutely nothing since his Masters win and that's the only thing that keeps him in anyone's mind. If Gary Player wanted the more consistant Canadian golfer, he should have chosen Stephen Ames.

In any case, I believe that neither player deserves to be on the team as far as skill goes. I am happy that there is a Canadian presence though.

I agree wholeheartedly - Weir was ranked 20th on the list and Ames was 19th going into the PGA.......that means that 9 more deserving golfers were passed over so Mike could make the team.

Who will Weir's teammates take to him? Presumably these guys all want to be the US and they may be miffed that Gary didn't pick the strongest team possible.

I hope that Mike wins every match that he's in, but I still don't think he deserves to be there

[Shivas Irons]

This would not set a precedent, last Pres Cup, Player took Clark and Immelman when the event was in South Africa.

The last Pres Cup was actually played in the US. The 2003 Pres Cup was played in Africa and I don't think Immelman was on the team.

[mpare]

I am a Mike Weir fan, but he should not have been picked for the International Team. He's been playing very poorly and has a persistent injury. By contrast, Ames - the forgotten Canadian (and a resident Canadian by choice) has been playing circles around him He should have been Gary's choice.

[davevandyk]

I agree wholeheartedly - Weir was ranked 20th on the list and Ames was 19th going into the PGA.......that means that 9 more deserving golfers were passed over so Mike could make the team.

Who will Weir's teammates take to him? Presumably these guys all want to be the US and they may be miffed that Gary didn't pick the strongest team possible.

I hope that Mike wins every match that he's in, but I still don't think he deserves to be there

I have a feeling that part of the reason that Weir was picked is because him and Immelman played relatively well in the last Cup together.

[mpare]

I suspect that Mike was picked, because he is perceived as a Canadian and Ames is not. As for how he'll fare, I wish him all the luck in the world, but his track record has been absysmal this year. It's difficult to imagine that this will change within a month.

I have a feeling that part of the reason that Weir was picked is because him and Immelman played relatively well in the last Cup together.

[NoBack]

I am a Mike Weir fan, but he should not have been picked for the International Team. He's been playing very poorly and has a persistent injury. By contrast, Ames - the forgotten Canadian (and a resident Canadian by choice) has been playing circles around him He should have been Gary's choice.

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT - couldnt have said it better myself. Wrong choice but he was the only one that was 100% Eh?

[B Nation]

I am a Mike Weir fan, but he should not have been picked for the International Team. He's been playing very poorly and has a persistent injury. By contrast, Ames - the forgotten Canadian (and a resident Canadian by choice) has been playing circles around him He should have been Gary's choice.

This isn't exactly true. Ames' stats are marginally better then Weir's but he certainly hasn't been playing circles around him. Ames hasn't had a great year either. The fact that Weir has more experience, and has played well in the President's cup gave him the nod over Ames imo.

I will say that I would have picked Romero over them both, as well as he has played this year, I am very surprised he didn't make the team. In July he finished 3rd in the British Open, then won the Deutsche Bank in Europe the next week, then came back and finished 6th in the WGC.

[Shivas Irons]

Let's face it, it would be pretty strange cheering for the Int'l team if there were no Canucks on it. I'm glad Weirsy is on the team and I doubt there will be any backlash from his teammates

[atomic]

I can't really cheer for Ames as a "Canadian". Mike is much more of a draw in Canada, and I for one, am happy he made it. His game has been coming round and he is striking the ball much better than last year. Besides, Ames' teeth scare me a little (or remind me of Mr. Ed)

[Kilroy]

I am glad he picked Mike. I will cerainly be among the throng that follows him on Sunday! It will be a zoo!

[spackler]

I can't really cheer for Ames as a "Canadian".

I know this argument gets hashed and rehashed, but as the son of immigrants, I find it really hard to buy into this. If anything, I would say Ames is more Canadian than Weir. He chose to come here and he also lives here, not in Utah. Weir is Canadian in my books too, but I hate to make the distinction that where someone is born makes them more of a citizen than someone who gained their citizenship later in life.

Besides, Ames' teeth scare me a little (or remind me of Mr. Ed)

Now, that's an argument I get. Or to make it a bit scarier, they remind me of Silken Laumann!

[mpare]

I sympathize with you, having myself made the choice years ago to become a Canadian citizen. The only point of difference between us may be that I see both Weir and Ames as Canadians. That said, Stephen actually lives here, and Mike now calls Utah home.

I know this argument gets hashed and rehashed, but as the son of immigrants, I find it really hard to buy into this. If anything, I would say Ames is more Canadian than Weir. He chose to come here and he also lives here, not in Utah. Weir is Canadian in my books too, but I hate to make the distinction that where someone is born makes them more of a citizen than someone who gained their citizenship later in life.

[jonf]

Horrendous pick. Weir hasn't done anything since he won the Masters. He plays mediocre golf at best. Ames, on the other hand, has a win at the TPC last year, and is a consistent contender. If you don't want to pick Ames, fine....there are lots of good picks out there. But to put Weir in, simply to get a Canadian face on the team, is completely foolish.

[Golfbum]

Don't get me wrong as I'm happy for Mikey...... but come on! It's Mike Weir! He's done absolutely nothing since his Masters win and that's the only thing that keeps him in anyone's mind. If Gary Player wanted the more consistant Canadian golfer, he should have chosen Stephen Ames.

In any case, I believe that neither player deserves to be on the team as far as skill goes. I am happy that there is a Canadian presence though.

Maybe Mike has not done a lot lately but his agent sure did. Why do you think the event is being held in Canada? Surely not because the former Liberal Government pulled some strings with the PGA and Finchem?

Mike's agent had a lot to do with this event being held in Canada this time around.

Now I don't totally agree with Mike as a pick either. His play of late does not warrant being picked.

However, money talks and let's face the facts here. Mike will be a huge benefit to the PGA because he will draw fans to the event. He will help sell merchandise etc.

It's not always about the golf, sometimes it is also about the cash!

[Shivas Irons]

Besides, Ames' teeth scare me a little (or remind me of Mr. Ed)

[harbacostal]

Weir has played lights out in these events in the past. Here's hoping he can do it again.

[B Nation]

Horrendous pick. Weir hasn't done anything since he won the Masters. He plays mediocre golf at best. Ames, on the other hand, has a win at the TPC last year, and is a consistent contender. If you don't want to pick Ames, fine....there are lots of good picks out there. But to put Weir in, simply to get a Canadian face on the team, is completely foolish.

Again, this is simply not true. Ames has 1 top ten in his last 12 events. How is that a consistent contender? His results this year are only slightly better than Weir's. I think everyone's thinking is being clouded by the fact that Ames was in the final group with Tiger on Sunday. He really hasn't played all that well this year.

Weir has played very well in the PC in the past. Ames can't say the same.

Player really had to take one of the two. Without a Canadian, I am not even sure the crowd would be pulling heavily for the international squad. It would probably end up being more of an exhibition in their Eyes. With Weirsy there, the international team as a whole will generate alot more crowd support IMO.

[LobWedge]

The fact that Player picked either one, the fact that Player and Nicklaus are still the team captains for the millionth time, the fact that Player renegged on his promise to build the best team possible, and the fact that there's still no third tournament featuring an International team against a European team, shows that this event is just another PGA Tour sham, and further proves that the Presidents Cup is a very faint shadow of the Ryder Cup.

If I were a player on the International side, I would be embarassed and angry that Player caved. Likewise, players on the US side should be ashamed for putting on such a farce. If you want it to be a true "friendly exhibition" of golf, then market it as such. Stop trying to sell it as a serious competition, because it's not.

I am very happy that golf-starved Canadian fans will get to see world class golfers perform on our soil, but let's not kid ourselves. The PGA Tour has intentionally dropped the ball on this "tournament". It could have been so much more meaningful.