Final four
Four golfers were added to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open field during Monday’s qualifier at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City (with scores):
George Cunningham, Tucson, Ariz., 64
Rob Oppenheim, Andover, Mass., 64
Cole Nygren, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 65
Doug Ghim, Chicago, 66 distance. That makes it difficult for shot makers such as Weir to finesse their way into tournaments via Monday qualifying.
But it does not stop him from trying.
“I still love to grind; I still love to practice and play,” Weir said after signing his scorecard. It was the only autograph I saw him sign all day, although he did pose for a selfie with a course marshal who said his buddy in British Columbia would be impressed.
“You gotta get out here and put your ego aside and try,” added the 1992 Brigham Young grad who won eight times on tour. “I came down here to qualify. I’ve been working real hard on my game, and I felt like if I could get in, I could play really well in the tournament. I just got off to a slow start today and didn’t make enough putts.”
Isn’t that how it always is in pro golf? It doesn’t matter if its Augusta National when the azaleas are in bloom or Boulder Creek when a guy is whizzing in the parking lot. You get off to a slow start and don’t make putts, you’re reaching for your car keys.
There still were golfers on the course, but Mike Weir said he wouldn’t be hanging around to see where his score stood among them. I watched him load his clubs into the back of his truck and give his caddie a kiss.
The parking lot was beginning to empty, but at least now there didn’t seem to be the slightest bit of urgency.
Contact Ron Kantowski at rkantowski@reviewjournal. com or 702-383-0352. Follow @ronkantowski on Twitter.