The Masters: Settled in — Weir looking for 2nd Green Jacket
Weir will have to stand in line. There is an army of talented and experienced golfers bent on tagging Woods at Augusta National this week.
Weir, who lives in Draper, tees off today at 8:34 a.m. (MDT), with Padraig Harrington and Jeev Milka Singh. Their group goes out right in front of Woods, who is paired with Angel Cabrera and Stuart Appleby. Defending champion Zack Johnson tees off at 8:23 a.m. with Luke Donald and Geoff Ogilvy.
Weir soaked in the exclusivity of Tuesday's Master's Champion dinner, held at Augusta National, sitting next to Hall of Famer Gary Player, who is making a record 51st Masters appearance today.
"Just being part of that club is special, one of the most elite group of golfers found anywhere," Weir explained in an interview Tuesday with Bob Casper and Brian Taylor of Real Golf Radio.
"The guys are great. They were needling Zack, welcoming him but giving him the business, needling the new guys, just being part of the club.
Sitting next to Player and Billy Casper, Weir said all the legends of the game describe the same tangible excitement to the Masters. "They still have the butterflies, still have the same issues, face the same challenges."
Weir said he was satisfied with his practice round and drove the ball well. Conditions are a little wet, which he described making the rough kind of "heavy and waxy," which will challenge club head speed if players miss the fairways.
"If you get it past that intermediate cut, it will be hard to get speed through the shots and hit it crisp. The greens were very fast last year, firm and hard to hold and get it close to the hole. It may be softer this year."
Weir took last week's Shell Houston Open off and said he was rusty, opting to practice in Utah after a trip to Augusta to inspect the course a few weeks ago. Playing nine holes on Tuesday got his timing back and he is confident and ready to play.
On Wednesday he had his two daughters caddie for him in the Par-3 Tournament, an annual event Woods decided to miss for the first time in his career.
"My wife has been here before, but the girls never have. It will be interesting to see how they react once they see the crowd."
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