Weir to replace Mickelson in Hawaii

Former Masters champion Mike Weir will replace Phil Mickelson in the elite four man field for the end-of-season PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Hawaii, organisers said today.

Mickelson, winner of this year's Masters, told the PGA of America after last week's Ryder Cup he would not be competing again for the rest of 2006.
   
"I'm thrilled about the chance to return to Hawaii and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf," Canadian left-hander Weir said in a statement.
   
"It's a chance to compete against the very best players in the world, and I would love to improve on my second place finish the last time around."
   
Masters champion in 2003, Weir joins world number one Tiger Woods, US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk in the event which brings together the winners of the year's four major championships.
   
Woods triumphed at both the British Open and the PGA Championship and fellow American Furyk was added to the field after finishing on top of the 2006 major champions points list.
   
Furyk, winner of the 2003 Grand Slam of Golf, tied for 22nd at the Masters, was joint runner-up in the US Open, finished fourth at the British Open and shared 29th place in the PGA Championship.
   
The 36-hole stroke-play event will take place at the Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai's southern shore from November 21nd-22th.
   
Last November, Woods won the title for a record sixth time, romping to a seven-shot victory over Mickelson after closing with an eight-under-par 64.