Mike Weir has loads of powerful choices main as much as the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Membership in late September.
As captain of the Worldwide Group, Weir has been retaining tabs on gamers who might doubtlessly tackle the powerhouse People on the biannual best-on-best males’s match.
“That is crunch time for lots of gamers,” stated Weir in Calgary on Tuesday at a press convention forward of the 2024 Rogers Charity Traditional at Canyon Meadows Golf and Nation Membership. “We now have six automated spots off the world rankings after which there’s six picks with lots of Canadians within the combine, so hoping they’re going to essentially play effectively the subsequent couple weeks and that I can choose them for the workforce.”
With Olympic gold medallist Scottie Scheffler and up to date two-time main champion Xander Schauffele main the American aspect, Weir will rely on management from Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, recent off successful a bronze medal on the Paris Olympics, who’s atop the Worldwide standings.
Tom Kim and Sungjae Im are second and third within the Worldwide Group rankings, whereas fellow South Korean nationwide Byeong Hun An is in sixth. Veteran Australian golfers Jason Day and Adam Scott are sitting comfortably in fourth and fifth.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., who competed on the 2022 version of the Presidents Cup together with Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., is at present in a great place in seventh spot within the Worldwide standings.
Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin, each of Abbotsford B.C., are holding down the eleventh and twelfth spots, whereas Pendrith is correct behind them in thirteenth and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., isn’t far again in fifteenth.
“As I’ve stated all alongside, it’s a global workforce,” stated Weir, who will depend on assist from his captain’s assistants Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas to pick one of the best squad. “It’s not Group Canada, so it’s a must to be truthful to all people. Numerous guys are taking part in effectively.
“I actually like our workforce the way in which it’s shaping up. Guys are very excited. I’ve been engaged with the gamers because the get-go, since I turned the captain. Gamers have reached out to me and so they’re very engaged and excited to be on the workforce.”
Whereas he’ll be participating on the Rogers Charity Traditional (previously Shaw Charity Traditional) for the fourth straight yr, Weir can have the upcoming Presidents Cup on the highest of his thoughts.
“Though I’m engaged on my sport and taking part in, my thoughts is consistently excited about it,” stated the 54-year-old Canadian Golf Corridor of Famer from Brights Grove, Ont. “Calls earlier than rounds, calls after rounds, texting with guys, our analytics guys. I’m making an attempt to get all the knowledge I can regarding the gamers so I could make one of the best resolution upcoming within the subsequent couple weeks.
“I don’t need to decide on a whim. I need to have all the knowledge and stats on the gamers so I could make an knowledgeable resolution. Yeah, a bit of bit tougher to play however nonetheless enjoyable. I discovered a pleasant steadiness.”
That being stated, Weir will nonetheless do his finest to have a great exhibiting on the annual PGA Tour Champions match.
“It’s all the time nice to return residence, for positive,” stated Weir, who’s finest exhibiting on the senior-circuit cease in Calgary was a tie for ninth in 2021. “That is the one time we get to try this on the Champions Tour proper now. It’s an incredible golf course. From the primary time I performed right here just a few years in the past, I actually favored the golf course. I’d wish to play a bit of higher on it hopefully this yr, however all the time get pleasure from taking part in right here.
“The town is nice. Nice eating places, nice meals. The followers come out right here higher than most likely another occasion on the Champions Tour, so I believe all of the gamers get pleasure from coming right here to Calgary.”
