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Canadian professional golfer Mike Weir is still active in the sport and currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Weir, who plays left-handed, is best known for winning the 2003 Masters Tournament, making him the only Canadian man to win a major championship. He has also won multiple Nissan Open championships and was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Michael Richard Weir |
| Born | May 12, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Sarnia, Ontario, Canada |
| Plays | Left-handed |
| College | Brigham Young University |
| Career Wins | 8 |
| Wins (2025) | 0 |
| Top 10 (2025) | 0 |
| Ranking (2003) | 3rd in the Official World Golf Ranking |
| Ranking (2004) | Top 10 |
| Ranking (2001-2005) | Top 10 for over 110 weeks |
| Tournaments | Nissan Open (2004), Masters Tournament (2003) |
| Awards | Lou Marsh Trophy (2003), Canadian Golf Hall of Fame (2009), Order of Sport (2017) |
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What You'll Learn
Mike Weir's golfing career and achievements
Michael Richard Weir, CM OOnt, is a Canadian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Weir was born in Sarnia, Ontario, and grew up in the Sarnia suburb of Brights Grove. He learned to play golf at Huron Oaks Golf Course, where he met golf legend Jack Nicklaus at the age of 11. Weir turned professional in 1992 and started his career on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, winning three events. He also played on the Asian PGA Tour early in his career.
Weir first qualified for the PGA Tour in 1998 but lost his playing privileges due to insufficient performance. He quickly requalified and achieved his first PGA Tour win at the 1999 Air Canada Championship in Surrey, British Columbia. This made him the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event in Canada in 45 years. Weir's most notable achievement came in 2003 when he won the Masters Tournament, becoming the only Canadian man to win a major championship. That year, he also won the Lou Marsh Trophy for outstanding Canadian athlete of the year.
Weir has had several other notable accomplishments throughout his career. In 2001, he won The Tour Championship in a playoff. In 2003, he won two tournaments on the West Coast Swing: the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the Nissan Open. Weir maintained his ranking in the world's top ten between 2003 and 2004, and in 2004, he became the sixth player in Nissan Open history to win consecutive championships. In 2007, Weir beat Tiger Woods at the Presidents Cup matches, despite his team ultimately losing the Cup. This win, coupled with swing changes, led to his first tournament victory in over three years at the Fry's Electronics Open in October 2007.
Weir has faced some challenges with injuries and form throughout his career. He has worked with various coaches and swing specialists, including Mike Wilson, Mike Bennett, and Andy Plummer, to refine his technique. In 2010, Weir suffered a torn ligament in his right elbow, causing him to start the 2011 season on a major medical exemption. Despite these setbacks, Weir has continued to compete and refine his game. In 2014, he nearly earned his first win in seven years at the Byron Nelson Championship, finishing as the runner-up and elevating his world ranking by over 350 places.
Weir's achievements have been recognized through various honours. In 2009, he was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, and in 2010, he was ranked 12th on the list of Canada's 100 Greatest Athletes of All Time. In 2017, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame with the Order of Sport award.
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Coaching and techniques
Mike Weir is a Canadian professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Weir was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009 and was selected as the 12th greatest Canadian athlete of all time in 2010. Known for his natural left-handed swing, Weir has been coached by several renowned instructors throughout his career.
Weir's golfing journey began at Huron Oaks Golf Course, where he was coached by Steve Bennett. In the early 2000s, during his most successful period, Weir worked with instructor Mike Wilson. In 2010, Weir decided to move away from the 'stack-and-tilt' method and focus on refining his swing. He briefly reduced his reliance on swing coach Mike Wilson, expressing his desire to take ownership of his technique. However, in 2011, he rehired 'stack-and-tilt' creators Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer to work on his swing.
Weir's training philosophy emphasizes daily training, adapting the type of training as he ages. His training regimen includes mobility sessions, cardiovascular workouts, and strength training. To improve his physical capabilities, Weir performs exercises like the TRX Single Leg Deadlift to Pistol, focusing on neuromuscular training and multi-jointed movement patterns.
In 2019, Weir began working with lead Level 1 instructors Mark Blackburn and Jason Glass. They emphasized building a swing that suits Weir's physical capabilities and maximizes his body-swing connection. Blackburn and Glass tailored their approach to Weir's movement and range of motion, with Glass focusing on maximizing Weir's physical capacity.
Weir's resurgence is a testament to his perseverance and the collaborative efforts of his coaching team. Their success is built on a foundation of physical screening, identifying limitations, and tailoring their instruction to Weir's unique strengths and range of motion.
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Injuries and setbacks
Mike Weir, the Canadian professional golfer, has had several injuries and setbacks throughout his career. In 2010, Weir suffered a torn ligament in his right elbow, causing him to end his season early. He started the following year on a major medical exemption, facing the challenge of matching his 2010 earnings to retain his status on the PGA Tour.
Weir's 2010 and 2011 seasons were plagued by injuries and difficulties in making cuts, leading to a demotion in the PGA Tour exemption priority rankings. Despite these setbacks, Weir persevered and began his 2012 season with determination.
Weir also experienced a dip in the world rankings around 2007, which affected his automatic qualification for the Presidents Cup matches that year. However, he was selected by International Team Captain Gary Player, and his participation proved to be an inspired choice. Weir defeated the current number one, Tiger Woods, in a heated match, even though his team ultimately lost the Cup.
In addition to injuries, Weir has also faced other challenges, including an emotional divorce and the humiliation of broadcasting his duffed shots. Despite these setbacks, Weir has shown resilience and a refusal to give up, continuing to pursue his passion for golf and working on improving his swing.
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Tournaments and results
Michael Richard Weir, born on May 12, 1970, is a Canadian professional golfer. He currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Weir turned professional in 1992 and started on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, winning three events. He also played some events on the Asian PGA Tour early in his career.
Weir's first PGA Tour win came at the 1999 Air Canada Championship in Surrey, British Columbia. He shared the 54-hole lead at the 1999 PGA Championship with Tiger Woods but finished T-10. Weir won The Tour Championship in a playoff in 2001. He began the 2003 season with wins at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Springs, California, and the Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. In 2003, Weir won the Masters Tournament, making him the only Canadian man to win a major championship. That year, he also won the Lou Marsh Trophy for outstanding Canadian athlete of the year.
Weir went more than three years without a win after his second Nissan Open victory before claiming another title. During this period, he worked on swing changes with coaches Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer, which yielded positive results, including two top-tens and a tie for eighth at the Open Championship.
In 2009, Weir was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. The following year, he was named one of Canada's 100 greatest athletes of all time, and in 2017, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Weir's 2010 season was cut short due to a torn ligament in his right elbow, and he started 2011 on a major medical exemption.
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Golfing style
Mike Weir is a left-handed golfer, a style he adopted after receiving advice from Jack Nicklaus. Weir, a natural left-handed shot in hockey, began playing golf left-handed as a follow-on from his hockey experience.
Weir's golfing style has evolved over the years, with the golfer working with various coaches and swing methods. In the early 2000s, he worked with instructor Mike Wilson, who coached him during his most successful period. Weir later moved away from the 'stack-and-tilt' method popularized by Wilson, choosing to reclaim his swing. In 2011, however, Weir rehired the creators of the 'stack-and-tilt' method, Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer.
Weir's determination and work ethic were evident from an early age. He spent entire summers honing his craft, hitting balls at Huron Oaks under the mentorship of Steve Bennett. This dedication paid off, with Weir winning numerous tournaments and achieving impressive rankings throughout his career.
Weir's golfing style has been described as strategic and thoughtful. In 2003, he won the Masters Tournament, making him the only Canadian man to win a major championship. This victory was a dramatic playoff win, showcasing Weir's ability to perform under pressure. Weir has also been described as a team player, sticking with his Canadian players during the Presidents Cup, despite facing some criticism for his choices.
Overall, Weir's golfing style combines natural talent, dedication, and a willingness to adapt and learn. His left-handed swing and strategic gameplay have earned him a place in the golfing world, with his 2003 Masters win solidifying his legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mike Weir is still golfing. He currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions.
Weir is a left-handed golfer. He plays this way because Jack Nicklaus told him to be himself.
Weir has had many notable achievements in his golfing career. He spent over 110 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking between 2001 and 2005. He is best known for winning the Masters Tournament in 2003, becoming the only Canadian man to win a major championship. He also won the Lou Marsh Trophy for outstanding Canadian athlete of the year in 2003.
In 2010, Weir tore a ligament in his right elbow, causing him to end his season early. He also worked with instructor Mike Wilson, his coach during his most successful period in the early 2000s, before deciding to rely less on swing coaches.
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