KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Kapalua might consider changing its logo to a Maple Leaf this week. Mike Weir of Canada, who only 10 weeks ago qualified for the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship with his first victory in more than three years, made an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 6-under 67 in much more agreeable conditions Friday for a one-shot lead over Stephen Ames and Jonathan Byrd.
Ames, the only player in the field who actually lives in Canada, fixed a flaw in his putting stroke and also shot 67, making birdie on three of his last five holes despite missing a 6-footer along the way.
Weir, raised in Bright's Grove, Ontario, now lives in Utah and played only one full round of golf last month when he went to San Diego to check on equipment. Ames was born in Trinidad & Tobago and moved to Calgary in 1991, becoming a naturalized citizen in 2003. He hasn't played since winning the Skins Game, and during his 10-day vacation on Maui, only played 18 holes over two days with his sons.
And here they are on an island in the Pacific, their names atop the leaderboard in the first tournament of the year.
complete article