Weekley was on hand Monday to talk about his try at Verizon Heritage history and a possible third straight win next month at Harbour Town Golf Links. Weekleys fortunes may have changed in the past year, but his plain-spoken, straight-forward style has not.
Boo Weekley poses with the winner’s trophy after winning the 2008 Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (Getty Images)
Weekley joked with surprise as he sat next to his first-place trophy from a year ago: Howd yall get my trophy out of my house?When asked about his growing line of apparel, Weekley ' clad in a camouflage jacket and mesh ball cap ' quipped, Its just clothes, man. Do I look like a fashion guy?
Some dont know what to make of Weekley.
Is he the talented ball-striker on the rise who earned more than $5 million since 2007 or the fun-loving bumpkin who gleefully goaded the Ryder Cup crowd by riding his driver, Happy Gilmore style.
I just play golf, he says.
Weekleys rise began at Harbour Town two seasons ago when he chipped in the 71st and 72nd holes to beat Ernie Els by a stroke for his first PGA win.
A year later, Weekley did it again, defeating future Ryder Cup teammate Anthony Kim by three strokes. Come April, Weekley will look to be the first to win the tournament three years in a row.
And the attempt sounds like itll be vintage Weekley.
His wife, Karyn, missed both her husbands wins here and told Boo of her plans to attend this spring. No way, Weekley said. I aint messing up my mojo, he said.
Weekley hasnt played much this season. After opening the season in Hawaii, he was off the tour until last weeks Accenture Match Play, where he lost to Sean OHair in the second round.
Weekley thinks hes found a home at Harbour Town, and not just because of the small, inviting greens that fit his shot-shaping style. Despite its luxury resort trappings, Weekley says people here are similar to those he grew up with in Milton, Fla.
When I come here, it feels like home, Weekley said.
His wins here earned him a Ryder Cup spot, where he became one of captain Paul Azingers happiest surprises.
Weekley remembers discussing his role with Azinger before the event began.
You could stick me out here toting the bags out of the cars if thats what you want, Weekley told Azinger. I just wanted to be part of something.
Azinger matched Weekley with J.B. Holmes, Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk.
They started calling us the redneck quad, Weekley said, chuckling.
Weekley knows fans plug into off-the-cuff personality and down-home demeanor.
In tough economic times for golf and its fans’tournament officials expect to raise less for charity than in other years’Weekleys hick-hop attitude could be just what the tour needs, Verizon Heritage tournament director Steve Wilmot said.
Were happy to have him, he said.
Weekley has made his mark with the Verizon Heritage crowd. He says the PGA Tour is placing more importance on interaction with sponsors and fans.
For me, thats pretty easy but for a lot of the other players, it seems like its a hassle, he said. Its something I think weve got to step up and take responsibility for if we want to keep our tour and keep playing for the money were playing for.
For a player in his prime, the 35-year-old Weekley shows little of the single-minded drive to improve that hangs off many pros. He feels no added pressure to outdo his big years and become even more successful.
I figure if I keep going, Ill win a couple of more, he said.
Maybe when he returns to Harbour Town.
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