In the Zone: Weaver's future on PGA Tour looks promising

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Drew Weaver can play with the big boys.

He showed that during the weekend, making the cut at the U.S. Open as an amateur and proving to himself that his game and his attitude are good enough.

The Open was the third major for Weaver, a 22-year-old from High Point who also played in the 2007 British Open and 2008 Masters but failed to make the cut in either. After missing the cut at last year's Masters, he broke down in tears, emotionally spent from his effort.

But Weaver was focused and in a zone at the U.S. Open, so much so that it brought back memories for his father, John.

"His eyes used to get dilated back in junior golf, he was so intense," John Weaver said. "I had to sometimes shake him to get him to relax."

But there has been none of that at the Open, and Weaver might have helped secure his future on the PGA Tour. He'll turn pro in September, and he's exempt from the first stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School because he made the cut at the Open.

Weaver didn't get many breaks in his third round yesterday, but he birdied 18 to salvage a 74 despite a triple bogey on No. 10. Afterward he signed autographs for about 15 minutes, using his left hand. Weaver plays golf right-handed, but is otherwise left-handed.

One noticeable difference from Weaver's first two majors is his care-free attitude on the course. He saluted the rowdy New York crowds at every turn and loved the rock-star treatment he received.

"I've never seen this at a golf tournament," Weaver said of feeding off the energy of the crowds. "I've definitely had a great time coming down the stretch, and they provided a ton of support, and that was needed."

When asked to pick a point when he felt as if he truly belonged, Weaver cited his birdies on 16 and 17 in his first-round 69. He heard the roars from the crowd and said he thought: "This is a lot of fun."

In his previous majors, Weaver admits that he was a little star struck sharing the range with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh. He has played in seven high-level pro tournaments, and he said that has helped his transition from college golfer to prospective pro.

"I'm not really a guy that's on the driving range looking left and right and saying, ‘Oh, wow, I'm next to Tiger Woods,' " he said.

Weaver was hitting balls on the practice range Wednesday when Woods walked by. It created a stir with the fans, but Weaver didn't notice and kept working on his swing.

"I've met a lot of the guys out here, and I'm more friends with them," Weaver said. "It's definitely nice not to be in awe of what's going on around you because it can definitely be overwhelming."

Weaver has worked hard on his game and has gotten stronger physically.

"My game has really grown a lot in the past two years or the past five years or however you want to look at it," said Weaver, who never won in college but was All-ACC and All-America as a senior this past season. "I've kept my goals on improving in every aspect no matter what it is. I've come to the realization that I do have what it takes to be out here."

Another source of motivation for Weaver was a perceived Walker Cup snub in 2007, after he won the British Amateur but was left off the team. He's determined to make the team this year, and that's why he has remained an amateur.

"I want to come out here and prove to the committee I have what it takes to be on the team," he said. "I'm just trying to play good golf no matter what the tournament is. I'm just trying to play my hardest, and it's up to the committee whether I'm on that team or not."

Weaver was one of three amateurs who made the cut , and his aggressiveness was one of the reasons. With help from his caddie, Victor Valequez, Weaver didn't shy away from trying to make things happen. Valequez is the regular caddie for Carlos Franco.

"Drew's very talented, and he knows how to play," Valequez said.

John Weaver says that one difference between this major and his son's first two is that Drew played his way into the U.S. Open through qualifying. His British Am victory brought him special invitations to the Masters and British Open.

"It's been a process of steps along the way," John Weaver said, "and it's been fun to watch."

Daniel buys Hyland Hills

Paul Daniel of Winston-Salem has purchased Hyland Hills Golf Club, a Tom Jackson-designed layout and public course in Southern Pines that has been open since the late 1970s.

The course measures 6,970 yards from the tips, but with a renovation will be extended to just more than 7,000 yards.

Daniel, a former golfer at North Carolina and 2000 UNC graduate, said that Hyland Hills used to be one of the most popular public courses in Southern Pines.

"We want to restore what they had there, and we are going to put some money into it to make it better," said Daniel, who assumed the large debt of the course with the purchase. "The course has been hurting for a while, and with the difficult times in the golf business, we felt it was the right time to try and do something."

Daniel said that the tee boxes, bunkers and greens will be reworked over the next few months.

Around the green

Brad Kiger, an assistant pro at Reynolds Park, is offering junior lessons starting today at 4 p.m. The classes cost $15 an hour or $50 for four classes. Today's 4 p.m. session is for boys and girls ages 11 to 17; the 5 p.m. session is for ages 6 to 10. Anyone interested in more information can contact Kiger at 391-2557 or at brad.kiger@gmail.com....

The Wake Forest's men's golf team won the Dean's Cup for the second straight year as the Deacons' team with highest cumulative grade-point average, a 3.2 according to Coach Jerry Haas.

"We're very proud of that because it shows they are doing the work in the classroom," Haas said….

The Wyndham Championship Father's Day special has been extended until June 30. The special offers two weekly grounds badges, a VIP parking permit, a golf shirt and a sleeve of Pro V1 golf balls for $200, a savings of $140. The tournament will be Aug. 20-23 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. For more information on the tournament or the special, visit www. Wyndhamchampionship.com or call 379-1570.

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or jdell@wsjournal.com.