With the Presidents Cup slated for the Royal Montreal Golf Club, Canada’s Mike Weir is currently sitting on the outside of the International team’s roster. The lefty-hitting former Masters champ is 18th in points, with the top 15 qualifying for the Sept. 27-30 event against the U.S. Playing the final six holes at the AT&T National in 5 over par didn’t help.
GOLF STORYLINES
Iowa doesn’t have much in the way of professional sports. Sure, the Indy Racing League recently paid a visit to the new track in Newton. But the state always got pumped up for the PGA Tour when it came to the Quad Cities for the John Deere Classic. Unfortunately, the tournament moved across the river to Illinois, stripping Iowa of its marquee event. So watch for Masters champion Zach Johnson to try and restore some of the lost luster. After all, he is just a guy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
If you don’t see that many big names in the John Deere Classic, it is because the British Open is next week and several stars have already made their way across the pond to see what challenges Caroustie will provide them this time around. Phil Mickelson is taking the rather rare step of playing in the Euro PGA’s Scottish Open. The appearance is unusual in that many Americans don’t participate in Euro events. Look out for Colin Montgomerie, who is coming off a victory.
The LPGA swings back into action after taking a week off to recover from the rain-plagued U.S. Women’s Open — and not to conflict with Tiger’s Tournament during the Fourth of July week. It is also a big week for preparation for the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship.
THIS WEEK’S TEE TIMES
PGA
EVENT: John Deere Classic
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Silvis, Ill.
COURSE: TPC Deere Run, par 70
DEFENDING CHAMP: John Senden
LPGA
EVENT: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic
WHEN: Sylvania, Ohio
WHERE: Today-Sunday
COURSE: Highland Meadows Golf Club, par 71
DEFENDING CHAMP: Mi Hyun Kim
CHAMPIONS
EVENT: Dick’s Sporting Goods Open
WHEN: Friday-Sunday
WHERE: Endicott, N.Y.
COURSE: En-Joie Golf Course, par 72
DEFENDING CHAMP: Inaugural event
NATIONWIDE
EVENT: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Columbus, Ohio
COURSE: Ohio State University Golf Club, par 72
DEFENDING CHAMP: Inaugural event
EURO PGA
EVENT: Scottish Open
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Luss, Scotland
COURSE: Loch Lomond Golf Club, par 71
DEFENDING CHAMP: Johan Edfors
