Good Times Are Ahead For Canada's PGA TOUR Team

While the man of the hour in the rain-delayed Hope Classic in Palm Springs was undoubtedly Bill Haas who finished 30-under par, one shot in front of the field and collected $900,000 for his first victory in 140 TOUR starts, it was Weir who gave Canada a taste of what's to come.

After six days and five rounds over four courses Weir was a master of consistency, posting four consecutive rounds of 5-under 67 and allowing only one bogey. Thursday's second round was postponed because of a deluge of rain. In Monday's final round, determined to get the most out of the grove he was in, Weir overcame his second bogey of the week and his lone double bogey by recording his only eagle of the tournament to go with seven birdies for a closing 6-under 66.

For recoding 28 birdies on the week and averaging 27 putts per round the Canadian Golf Hall Of Fame member, who won the Hope in 2003 just ahead of his Masters Victory that same year, earned a cheque for $180,000.

Weir was not the only Canuck carrying a torch for Canada at the Hope Classic.

Playing in his second event as a 2010 Tour rookie, Weyburn, Saskatchewan native Graham Delaet delighted his supporters for the second week in a row by finishing tied for 18th at 20-under par. His effort earned him $58,750.

Now living in Boise, Idaho, Delaet celebrated his 28th birthday last Friday.

One statistic that is quickly gaining him a reputation is his prodigious driving. Delaet averaged 306 yards off the tee Monday and this season in nine rounds he's ranked ninth on TOUR at 302.5 yards, although he's 119th in accuracy percentage.

In 2009 Delaet won one event on the South African Tour before returning home to win twice on the Canadian Tour and finish the season as the Canadian Tour's leading money winner with $94,579 in nine events. After graduating from PGA TOUR Qualifying school in December, Delaet has now earned $94,186 in two weeks.

Yet to see his first payday but brimming with both ability and confidence is Canada's other TOUR rookie, 28-year-old Chris Baryla of Vernon. Baryla has missed the cut in his first two events but those who are aware of his skills and personality know only to well this is a young man who does not give up easily.

UP NEXT: This week the Farmers Insurance Open
Among those in the field will be three-time winner Phil Mickelson, 2004 title holder John Daly, reigning U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, Aaron Baddeley, Canadians Stephen Ames, Delaet and Baryla together with Ernie Els and Jesper Parnevik

Bob Hope Classic

1 Bill Haas 68 66 66 66 64 - 330 - $900,000
T2 Matt Kuchar 67 69 67 65 63 - 331 - $373,333
T2 Tim Clark 70 63 67 66 65 - 331 - $373.333
T2 Bubba Watson 66 62 68 69 66 - 331 - $373.333
5 Alex Prugh 64 66 65 70 67 - 332 - $200,000

6 Mike Weir 67 67 67 67 66 - 344 - $180.000
T18 Graham Delaet 71 69 67 66 67 - 340 - $58,750
cut Chris Baryla 71 78 72 70 -- 291