During the first round, Adam Scott entered the Bear Trap, the deadly three-hole stretch (Nos. 15-17) at PGA National, even-par and left at seven-over to post 77. Mike Weir almost tied Scott’s tragic experience in the second round on Friday, posting three straight double-bogeys. Weir shot a career-worst 85 and 22-over for the tournament. He’s currently dead last in the field at the Honda Classic. Weir lost more than some of his dignity with his dreadful performance — he also lost his PGA Tour card.
Canada’s golden golfer had elbow surgery last fall after struggling for most of 2010. Playing in 2011 on a medical extension, Weir had five starts to make at least $228,000 or he would lose fully exempt status for the remainder of the season. Which is what has happened.
Weir missed four cuts and earned only $10,788 with his T77 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Now, Weir falls into Category 28, Non Exempt Major Medical Extension, on the priority list, which basically means he won’t get into any tournaments without sponsor’s exemptions. However, if a field isn’t filled with players in the previous 27 categories, Weir is first in that Category with Brett Wetterich and Matt Weibring behind him. Category 28 is directly behind Category 27, which includes the players finishing between 125-150 on last year’s money list.
Good news is Weir is a former Masters champion, and his past success and popularity should earn him a fair share of sponsor’s invites. I mean, I’m sure he’s a lock for the Canadian Open.
Tough day for Weir, shooting his worst score ever and losing his card. Yikes.
On the bright side, Weir is 12th on the all-time money list, so he can take a one-time career money list exemption next year if needed.
(AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
keep at it, Mike, you’ll be playing great again soon!
Mike is as nice a guy as there is. With his great short game, good work ethic and positive attitude, I hope Mike turns it around real soon.
Hi Steph:
Minor correction note, Mike did not have surgery. He elected to treat the problem with rest. Also I believe he has 2 full season exemptions available for being in the top 25 all time money winners, so he could play 2012 & 13 using those.
That’s right. He has two one-time exemptions left. One for being in the Top 25 for all time money and one for being in the Top 50 for all time money.
Nine years left until the Champions Tour – it will be interesting to see when he uses those two exemptions. He is well inside the Top 25 and there is not much risk to him falling out of that position over the next decade. But if he uses his two bullets early, there could be six years of No Man’s Land until the senior tour.
It’s a shame because I always liked this guy. Hopefully he can get back to the sort of the form that saw him take out the 2003 masters.
Mike did not have surgery on his elbow. He elected to treat the problem with rest relaxation.
Mike did not have surgery. He elected to treat the problem with rest and relaxation.
[...] During the first round, Adam Scott entered the Bear Trap, the deadly three-hole stretch (Nos. 15-17) at PGA National, even-parRead the Rest… [...]
he has a lot more exemptions for this year….as long as he turn it around and makes some money, he coiuld be okay
http://canadiangolfer.com/g4g/2011/02/23/weirs-struggles-it-is-in-the-numbers-and-tm-vs-og/
I followed him at the Canadian Open last year for a few holes. He had a strap on his forearm to help with the pain and simply could not release through the ball with any power or consistency. Pushed all his drives to the left. Clearly he was only out there to give it a try considering it was his national open and the expectations put on him to play that tourney are extremely high. Tough injury to come back from. It would suit Weir’s personality if the ligament is still bothering him and yet he’s not letting on for fear of sounding like he’s making excuses.