Why should Mike Weir replace Phil Mickelson at the 2006 Grand Slam of Golf?

After reading Bill Wolfrum’s article alerting me that my favorite lefty golfer, Phil Mickelson, was all washed up for the remainder of the season, I was crushed. Mickelson semed to be his happiest during the 2004 Grand Slam where he shot an unbelieveably easy 59. Even after losing the 2005 Grand Slam of Golf to Tiger Woods, Mickelson remarked, “it was kind of a fun, friendly round of golf. There wasn’t much of a competition going on out there, so we just enjoyed the day". Come on Phil, to be in Poipu in November is like being in heaven!

But why was Mike Weir chosen as the replacement for the current number-three golfer in the world? Weir hasn’t won on the PGA tour this year and only has one top three this season. True he places 28th on the money list but this was definitely not his standout year. In fact, the only real similarity this blogger sees between the two is that they’re both left-handed!

I did a “lefty-to-lefty” player comparison to perhaps get an answer to my own query. In only three categories did Weir rank higher than Mickelson; driving accuracy, sand save percentage and putts per round. Granted, those three are pretty big stats to “whomp” the big guy with but are they enough to take other qualified professional major winners out of the running?

Who else could have been propositioned? Vijay Singh might take the bait although he really didn’t have much fun at last year’s event. At least Singh won a tournament this season and placed second on two other occasions in addition to his major championship victories (one Masters and two PGA Championship).

Perhaps giving two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal an opportunity to play would ignite the interest of the European Ryder Cup fans.

Michael Campbell, 2005 U.S. Open winner, struggled a bit at last year’s finale but perhaps giving him a second chance this year might give him the confidence he needs to pull Tiger Woods off of his perch.

I’m not saying that Weir wasn’t a good selection by the “powers-that-be” over at the PGA but I was just a little surprised. Of course this was also a pretty crummy thing for “collapsible Phil” to do on such short notice and 2003 Masters champion Weir was at the ready to take his spot.

I’m sure Weir, Ogilvy and Furyk will all be a good diversion even though all eyes will be on the projected favorite and most probable winner, Tiger Woods!