Weir to lead team at President’s Cup
Mike Weir has plenty of experience with the highs and lows of professional golf, and he’s hoping to bring that knowledge to his new role as assistant captain of the International team at this fall’s Presidents Cup.
The 2003 Masters champion has played in five Presidents Cup tournaments during his career, but will be on the sidelines this time as one of captain Nick Price’s four assistants.
His role will be to support Price, his playing partner in the 2000 and 2003 Presidents Cups, in decisions on pairings and provide advice to the players leading up to and during the event.
Weir said he feels he can help individual players with their confidence and guide them in adjusting to the heightened atmosphere.
“When you have 12 guys on a team, not everyone is going to be playing great,” Weir said Tuesday. “Maybe I’ll be there to build up a guy’s confidence because I’ve been on both sides of that — going into a Presidents Cup feeling really good, or other times when a captain has to build me up.
“If a certain player is struggling with a certain shot, I can help with those little details that may play big dividends at crucial times.”
The biennial competition pits the United States against a team of players from countries outside Europe.
The 46-year-old Weir is looking forward to being involved.
“It’s been a big part of my career and there have been some really special memories,” Weir said. “To be part of it again, with Nick being the captain — a guy I really look up to and have really followed for awhile — it’s going to be really special. I get along with the other assistants really well, so I’m sure we’re going to work well together.”
Weir will be joined by fellow assistants Ernie Els of South Africa, Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe in the Sept. 26-Oct. 1 event at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.