ESPN.com - Golf Online - Masters 2000 - Tuesday notebook: New dad ready to play

Thursday, April 6

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Bricia Weir delivered just in time, meaning Mike Weir can keep his tee time at The Masters.


	Mike Weir arrived Tuesday for his first practice round at Augusta.

"Everything's fine," Mike Weir said. "I'm ready to go play some golf."

The couple's second child -- a girl -- was born Monday in Utah.

Former BYU golf coach Karl Tucker had kidded Weir about planning a Masters-week birth. But last July, Weir didn't know he would be playing in the 2000 Masters.

He qualified by finishing among the tour's top 40 money-winners, thanks to a strong finish that included a victory in the Air Canada Championship in September.

If the baby hadn't arrived early, Weir might have had to turn down his first Masters invitation. He also had considered leaving for Georgia, then returning if he could make it back for the delivery.

Phil Mickelson was in that position last June at the U.S. Open when his wife, Amy, was ready to deliver the couple's first child.

Weir faces an intriguing week. A childbirth vigil is hardly the best way to prepare for a major tournament. On the other hand, Weir might ride the emotion to a strong performance.

"Even the first time going in there, I have a shot," he said.

Westwood gets sick
Lee Westwood, who was supposed to play a practice round Tuesday morning, was instead sick in bed.

Manager Andrew Chandler saidWestwood first became ill Monday evening, suffering from stomach pains and vomiting. After a fitful night, he saw a doctor Tuesday morning.

"The doctor said it was probably food poisoning," Chandler said. "It's something he ate. It is not a bug and it is not contagious."

Chandler said Westwood, who is here for his fourth Masters appearance, was given rehydration medication and told to rest for the remainder of the day.

He added that Westwood, who practiced Monday with Darren Clarke before becoming ill, was planning to return to the course for more practice Wednesday.

Westwood was the second-leading money winner on the European Tour in 1999, after being third the two previous years. His best finish in The Masters was a tie for sixth last year.

Crenshaw's caddie out
Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw won't have Carl Jackson on his bag this week.

Jackson, who has caddied for Crenshaw in every Masters since 1976, is recovering from colon surgery.

It was Jackson who suggested a swing change that was instrumental in Crenshaw winning the 1995 Masters.

Lin Strickler is Crenshaw's regular tour caddie and will be with him at Augusta this week.

"It makes me sick Carl won't be here," Crenshaw said.

Feeling a chill
Players and spectators had to bundle up for Tuesday's practice rounds at Augusta National.

A chilly northwest wind gusting to 25 mph sent hats flying and had the loblolly pines bending over. Light rain fell in advance of a vigorous front.

"It was very difficult out there," said defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal. "It's good we didn't have to count today's round."

Forecasts called for temperatures to plunge into the high 30s on Tuesday night and the high 50s and low 60s on Wednesday.

No rain was expected for Thursday's first round.

Divots

Fred Couples, who withdrew from the BellSouth Classic because of a sore back, says he will try to play. Couples has not missed a cut in 15 previous Masters appearances.

One Masters tradition is Arnold Palmer showing the amateurs around the course. It happened again Tuesday as Palmer played a practice round with U.S. amateur champion David Gossett and U.S. Public Links champion Hunter Haas.

Sergio Garcia, who parted way with Fanny Sunesson two weeks ago, has hired Glenn Murray as his caddie. Murray previously worked for Retief Goosen.


		News Money Entertainment Kids Family	Search for on