The Golf Watch

Winning the Ryder Cup--like killing your first deer

I loved Rich Lerner's "in the moment" commentary as the Americans doused themsleves with champagne shorty after the Ryder Cup ended.  He said that Boo Weekley has "cemented his legend in a strange, loveable way among a pantheon of characters."   He added that Weekley told him that he hadn't felt this good since shooting his first deer--when he was 8!

Nevertheless, during his press conference, Weekley admitted:

Q. You said you would rather be hunting than playing golf; would you rather be hunting than doing Ryder Cup golf?

BOO WEEKLEY: No, I don't think so. This is more right up my alley here.

Q. Do you like hunting and fishing better than Ryder Cup?

BOO WEEKLEY: No, not right now. It ain't nothing like shooting a deer.

"I don't know if they are ready for it"

Get ready for some good Boo Weekley one-liners this week.  First up, a quote from an interview with Rich Lerner about whether or not Weekley will consult with Raymond Floyd to improve his mental toughness:

Weekley: I'm not much on asking questions on mental stuff because I have my own mental perspective of everything. 

Lerner: Bringing that to the team room this week?

Weekley: I don't know, I don't know if they are ready for it....

You gotta love the guy.

Is there a better champion than Boo?

Boo Weekley successfully defended his title at the Verizon Heritage last week.  And if I were tournament director Steve Wilmot, I'd be one happy camper.  Besides Tiger and Phil, is there a better champion to have for your PGA Tour event than Boo?

Weekley is endearing, sincere, down to earth, and speaks the truth.  He wears his emotions on his sleeve.  Plain and simple, Boo reminds us that these PGA Tour pros are real people. 

As Jason Sobel of ESPN.com points out...

Weekley runs into trouble at airport

Fan favorite Boo Weekley left from Florida for the Mercedes-Benz Championship with his family on Friday morning, but didn't get to Hawaii until Sunday. According to Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press, airport security found two rifle bullets in Weekley's carry on bag, which he had used during a hunting trip in Illinois.  "They put the red flags on me. I had the cops there. I thought I was going to jail," said Weekley, who hadn't noticed the bullets in the bag when packing for Kapalua.   Weekley was eventually let go, but faced delays and missed a connecting flight in Atlanta.  Nevertheless, he arrived with his family in Hawaii safe and sound.

U.S. can't pull off upset at World Cup, Scots win

Although Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum were underdogs when the week began, the U.S. duo led by one stroke after each of the first three rounds at the World Cup of Golf in China.  But Colin Montgomerie and Charles Warren of Scotland fired a 6-under 66 on Sunday and defeated Weekley and Slocum on the third playoff hole.  The Scots lost last year in a playoff, but redeemed themselves this year.  "It's been a long time for Scotland to win the World Cup, since 1953," said Montgomerie.  "There was pressure to come back after a playoff loss like we did last year..."  The Americans had their opportunities all day, including the first playoff hole where Slocum missed a 7-foot birdie putt that would have won the cup.  Nevertheless, Slocum said, " It was a wonderful experience.  This would have been icing on the cake to top it off with a victory."

Weekley, Slocum to represent US at World Cup

As of six days ago, Arron Oberholser and Sean O'Hair were going to represent the United States at the World Cup in China in late November.  But Oberholser pulled out of the tournament last Monday due to expected hand surgery this Tuesday.  Therefore, according to the Associated Press, Boo Weekley (left) and Heath Slocum (right) will be replacing Oberholser and O'Hair and represent the United States at the tournament.  "This is really a dream come true for me," said Weekley. "I am so excited to play with Heath and represent our country in this world event."  Interestingly, Weekley and Slocum played together in high school at Milton High in the Florida Panhandle.  As for O'Hair, even though he is fully healthy, he was not surprised about the decision.  "It’s not like I earned the spot,” he said. "I was picked (by Oberholser)."