GOLF CLASSIC:ALTHOUGH BRUISED and battered after tying for 20th on his US Masters debut, Boo Weekley is in upbeat mood for his title defence at this week's Heritage Classic in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Weekley was delighted to post a top-20 finish in his first appearance at Augusta National and is banking on that form rolling over to the picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links.
"I take that as a bonus," the American said as he prepared for today's opening round. "Actually going and seeing Augusta and learning a little bit about the character of the golf course and then coming here.
"I feel like if I can putt halfway decent on them greens, when I get here maybe I can carry that over and putt a little better here this week."
Weekley had to contend with gusting winds and rock-hard greens in Sunday's final round at Augusta National when the average score was 74.67. "Man, the golf was hard," he said. "But I'm ready. Augusta will get you ready for anything. It's just another golf tournament.
"That's the way I stay focused is just to tell myself: 'Hey, it don't matter if it's a major or what it is, it's just another golf tournament.' You can't look ahead. That ain't going to get you nowhere, looking ahead."
Weekley won last year's title at Hilton Head in spectacular style, chipping in to save par on the last two holes to seal his maiden PGA Tour victory by a shot.
He played the back nine in practice on Tuesday without achieving the same level of success from just off the green. "Of course I went around there and had to try them chip shots," he said with a smile. "There wasn't no way. I still don't see how that went in. But it was very memorable."
Weekley faces a strong field in the first PGA Tour event after the opening major of the year.
World number three Ernie Els of South Africa and ninth-ranked American Jim Furyk are also competing, plus five-times champion Davis Love III.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in Park City, Utah, on Tuesday. The world number one and 13-times major winner, runner-up behind South African Trevor Immelman at the Masters on Sunday, has had two previous operations on the same knee.
His rehabilitation time will prevent his title defence at the May 1st-4th Wachovia Championship, and probably also his scheduled appearance at the prestigious Players Championship the following week.
"I made the decision to deal with the pain and schedule the surgery for after the Masters," Woods said. "The upside is that I have been through this process before and know how to handle it. I look forward to working through the rehabilitation process and getting back to action as quickly as I can."
Woods initially had surgery on his left knee in 1994, to remove a benign tumor, followed by arthroscopic surgery in December 2002.
"Tiger has been experiencing pain in his knee since the middle of last year," Woods's manager Mark Steinberg said. "When he had it looked at by his doctors, arthroscopic surgery was recommended. Tiger has played through the pain in the past but knew it would be better for him to have the procedure done as early as possible."
The next major for Woods is the June 12th-15th US Open at Torrey Pines outside San Diego, one of his favourite courses where he has won six Buick Invitational titles.
Heritage Classic
Course:Harbour Town Golf Links, South Carolina
Length:6,973 yards.
Par:71.
Prize money:¬3.5 million, ¬620,788 for the winner
Field:132.
Defending champion:Boo Weekley
First played: 1969 - winner, Arnold Palmer.
Most wins:Davis Love III (5).
On TV:Setanta Sports 1, Setanta Golf.
Weather:Clear and 22 degress Celsius - chance of thunderstorms at weekend.
