2006 Canadian Open Preview

And we're lucky this week to be playing on one of the best courses we'll tee it up on all year. Hamilton is a great layout, the type we don't get to play much any more on Tour. You have to move the ball both ways here, have to get it on the right part of the green with your approach shots and make sure you stay out of the rough. For me, these types of courses really demand a lot of focus. You can't let your attention stray here or you'll end up in trouble.

Right now the course is playing a little soft with all the rain in the area over the weekend. But I expect it will probably dry out somewhat by Thursday and that should make it even more of a test.

As I mentioned the Open is an important week for the Canadian players. It's also a busy one. There are a lot of extra duties and time required of us this week and you have to accept the fact that you're going to be a little of your regular program this week. There is extra attention from the media, the fans and the sponsors, and while every extra few minutes add up, you realize these demands are for a good reason.

And there are also some benefits. On Monday, I got to take batting practice at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Riccardi invited me down and was gracious enough to let me bring a few friends including Brennan and my trainer Jeff Handler, who was once drafted by the New York Yankees. He really could crank the bat, sending a few over the fence.

I got some batting tips from hitting instructor Mickey Brantley and by the time I was finishing up, I was starting to get the hang of it. It's a much different swing than a golf swing, although there are some general similarities.

I certainly did get an appreciation for just how talented the players are. When you see how far they can hit it with the ball coming in at them at 90 miles an hour, it's impressive.

As far as my swing goes - that's golf swing, not baseball swing - I'm feeling really good about my game. I've worked exceptionally hard on everything this year, harder than I have in any past year, and I'm seeing the benefits. I've been playing well and improving as the year's gone on. I'm feeling great about my ball-striking, my iron play, my putting, my short game. . . just about everything. With that has come some added confidence, which is always good.

I know a lot of people have been talking about my play on Sundays this year and, to be honest, it's with good reason. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't performed very well on Sundays. Some of it is due to the position I'm in starting out on Sunday, which is within reach of the lead. I might take a few more chances on Sunday than I would on Saturday, but overall, I know my fourth round play is simply not good enough. I'm just going to keep working on things and hopefully one of these Sundays that will all turn around.

I'm excited about this week. I think back two years ago how close I came to winning this tournament and how exciting it was coming down the stretch in the playoff with Vijay. The crowd that week was just unbelievable. The noise level on every tee and green is still ringing in my ears; that was quite a day even if it didn't end quite the way I would have liked.

But by being in a situation like that I know what to expect for the next time, if that should come. Every time you get in a situation like that, you learn and move on, hopefully more prepared.

While I'm thrilled about the prospects of this week, I'm also happy about a new venture I announced today. The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids is part of my foundation and a way that I hope we can come together to raise a lot of money for the Children's Miracle Network, an association of children's hospitals across Canada. Bricia and I have come together with a lot of great partners to make this happen and while all the final details haven't been announced, I know I'll be taking part in a special golf event in London, Ont., next June. Please visit www.mikeweirmiraclegolfdrive.ca for all the details.

As always, thanks for your support.

Mike