Verizon Heritage - Wrapup
In the first week of March, Boo Weekley approached the 72nd green with the Honda Classic in hand. His family, waiting behind the 18th green to celebrate his first PGA Tour victory, was given a tough pill to swallow as they watched him three-putt to drop into a playoff. Weekley then watched Mark Wilson take his title during the playoff.
After this week, Weekley has a new game plan: if in contention on the final holes of a tournament, scrap the putter and stick to the wedges.
Weekley held a two stroke advantage over Ernie Els on the 16th hole and faced a four foot par putt. Lining up the putt, the South Carolina winds whipped and forced the Floridian to step off his putt while he gave his hat to his caddie. Standing over the par putt, it seemed like an eternity for him to get comfortable. Moments later he missed the putt and his lead shrank to just one stroke.
Weekley faced another difficult task on the 17th hole. Ranked the second hardest hole on the course for the tournament, Weekley flew his teeshot over the 17th green. His first chip went about six yards instead of its intended twenty. With his lead in jeopardy and the tournament on the line, he hit the perfect chip, right on line, that sunk smack in the middle of the cup. Els dropped a shot on that same hole and gave Weekley a two stroke advantage on 18.
Weekley faced another difficult task on the 18th hole. He again missed the green and faced another difficult chip. Like the previous hole, a misplayed first chip resulted in another chip to save par. And just like the second chip on the previous hole, he hit it perfectly, right on line, sinking smack in the middle of the cup.
Those perfect chips cemented Weekley’s first PGA Tour win
Probably the best part of the Verizon Heritage is the winner’s jacket. (Side note--the win qualifies Weekley for next year’s Masters, his first major championship in his career). Back to the jacket. The plaid jacket is stylish and can be worn in many settings from casual to formal.
Wait, wait, wait. The Masters? Weekley is the first golfer since 1999 to benefit from this reinstated rule. Playing in the Masters signifies how far Weekley has come in his professional career.
Weekley qualified for the PGA Tour in 2002. He opened his professional career by missing the cut in 10 consecutive tournaments. Needless to say, Weekley did not retain his PGA Tour card and found himself on the Nationwide Tour for the next four years. Weekley played his way back onto the PGA Tour this year and looks to be making the most of his opportunity.
Check-in with hookedongolf.com this week for coverage and results from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
