The Loop

Weir: Olympics in Canada trump Phoenix Open

February 11, 2010

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Mike Weir hasn't missed the annual PGA Tour stop in Scottsdale, Ariz., (now called the Waste Management Phoenix Open) since 1999, but the erstwhile hockey player is making an exception this year -- and for good reason. The Winter Olympics begin next week in his native Canada.

"Yeah, I don't think I can miss that," said the former Masters champion, who is venturing to Vancouver after next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson.

Weir has functions to attend for his sponsors, Thompson Reuters and Royal Bank of Canada, but he'd be attending anyway on the grounds of both national pride and genuine interest. He plans to attend figure skating and speed skating events as well as several hockey games.

"I"m really looking forward to it. It's been awhile," said Weir, who last attended the Winter Olympics in 2002 when they were held near his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. "I love the Winter Olympics, and now my kids are at an age where they can really enjoy it, too. It's just going to be a nice week."

-- Dave Shedloski