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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, October 22, 2007

Weir ends 3 1/2-year drought on PGA Tour

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Canada's Mike Weir, right, receives congratulations from Australia's Mark Hensby after his one-stroke victory in Scottsdale, Ariz.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | Associated Press

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Mike Weir outdueled Tiger Woods in the Presidents Cup three weeks ago at Royal Montreal, reaffirming his status as a Canadian icon.

That emotional victory paid dividends yesterday, when Weir shot a 2-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Australia's Mark Hensby in the Fry's Electronics Open.

"It maybe got me over the hump as far as confidence that when it really hits the fan, I can get it done," Weir said.

Weir got it done on a warm, blustery day at Grayhawk Golf Club. Wind gusted up to 25 mph, turning the 7,125-yard Raptor Course into an adventure. Only 12 players broke par yesterday.

Weir finished at 14-under 266 for his eighth PGA Tour victory, and first since the 2004 Nissan Open, a span of 87 starts.

"Definitely been tough not winning," said Weir, who earned $900,000 to jump from 84th to 33rd on the money list at $1,986,053. "You know, that's what we're all out here to do, and 3 1/2 years has been quite a long time."

Weir secured his victory with a 6-foot par putt after hitting his approach on the par-4 18th into a greenside bunker.

"It was gusting across there," he said. "I just told myself to keep my head nice and steady and just try to hit it nice and solid."

The 2003 Masters champion took the lead with a birdie on the par-4 15th, rolling a chip shot to a foot, then held off Hensby over the final three holes.

That's where Weir's confidence, inspired by his Presidents Cup victory over the world's No. 1 golfer, came to the forefront.

"All of those matches were pressure-packed during the Presidents Cup, and everything about my golf swing felt great," he said. "So I think maybe it did solidify it a little bit."

Hensby closed with a 69. He moved up to 99th on the money list, at $969,731, assuring himself of his tour card for next season.

Billy Mayfair shot a 68 to finish third at 10 under.

Castle High grad Dean Wilson shot 69—277 to finish in a tie for 25th. He won $42,000.

LPGA

GYEONGJU, South Korea — Norwegian star Suzann Pettersen won the Hana Bank KOLON Championship when high wind and unplayable conditions on the stressed putting surfaces forced tournament officials to call off yesterday's final round.

Pettersen opened with a 3-under 69 on Friday and shot a 72 on Saturday in cold and windy conditions to take the lead at 3 under. She won her fourth LPGA Tour title of the year.

South Korea's Eun-Hee Ji finished a stroke back, and compatriots Seon Hwa Lee and Jeong Jang followed at 1 under.

CHAMPIONS

SAN ANTONIO — John Cook won his first Champions Tour title in his second start on the 50-and-over circuit, closing with a 6-under 65 for a two-stroke victory over Mark O'Meara yesterday in the AT&T Championship.

Cook, an 11-time PGA Tour winner who turned 50 on Oct. 2, began the round two strokes behind O'Meara and Tom Kite and was three behind after a bogey on the par-4 third hole at Oak Hills Country Club. But Cook birdied the next two holes, and added five more birdies on Nos. 9-11 and 15 and 16 to finish at 15-under 198.

O'Meara, another Champions Tour rookie, shot a 69.

PORTUGAL MASTERS

VILAMOURA, Portugal — England's Steve Webster won the Portugal Masters for his second European tour title, closing with an 8-under 64 yesterday for a two-stroke victory over Sweden's Robert Karlsson. Webster had a 25-under 263 total. Karlsson shot a 65.