Its been 11 years since Mike Weir raised his arms in celebration after tapping in a short putt to win the Masters. J.J. Redick College Jersey . For sure, April 2003 was a magical time for the lefthander. But it was April 2010 that may end up being just as significant. It was that month in that year that he conked a root with his swing and injured his elbow during play at the Heritage. That started the long spiral down from which he is still fighting to recover. Since that fateful day in Hilton Head, Weir has played 73 tournaments and missed the cut 53 times with four withdrawals. Hes had surgery and taken time away to recover from various ailments. Hes switched coaches and hes tried different swings. But through it all, one thing Weir has never done is lose hope. As good as his game has been over the years, as talented as he was with the putter and as precise as he was with the wedges, its his dog-on-a-bone determination, his will and self-belief that have been his biggest assets. And that only increases when it gets close to Masters time. "I really think I can contend there," Weir said of the years first major. "I still believe in myself, more than anything. When I step on the grounds there, I have confidence. I know how to play that golf course. I have a great strategy for that golf course that doesnt really change." Weir is playing the PGA Tour on the second of two lifetime money list exemptions but he has a lifetime pass to Augusta, so no matter what happens down the road, he can keep coming back. But he doesnt want to be there in a ceremonial way; he wants to see his name on the leaderboard again and he believes that can happen even if he admits that might surprise a few people. "Im definitely under the radar," stated Weir, who hasnt been under par at Augusta since his opening round of 2010. "I hope to build on the next couple weeks. Its obviously a course I love. Good vibes and memories there — and I definitely know how to play that golf course." During much of his period of struggle, its been the driver thats been the weak link in his bag but lately the troubles have come at the other end. "Ive been really struggling on the greens, which is unlike me. My last start in Tampa, I made only two birdies, from four and five feet. I think Ive just spent so much time on the golf swing — 80/20, probably — I just needed to put more attention on the short game, which Ive done." Even with renewed confidence in his big stick, Weir knows that to conquer Augusta National, hell need to have all parts of his game going. As a medium to short hitter, tackling a 7,700-yard layout is going to put pressure on his wedges and putter. The course is so different than the one he played on in his first Masters in 2000 and the one he won on in 2003. Its longer, has a first cut (aka rough) and trees have been planted that remove some the possible angles that can be used to get at pins. But mostly, its just so much longer. "It takes a special kind of week to win there," he stated, "for someone outside the bombers. But it can still be done." It would certainly be special to see Canadas most successful golfer in the hunt again at the Masters, or anywhere for that matter. If he doesnt, it certainly wont be from lack of effort. Weir has spent long hours on the range and the putting green, trying to find the magic once again. Perhaps it will finally come together for him at Augusta National. Quinn Cook College Jersey . Bilbaos first victory in four rounds lifted it four points clear of Real Sociedad and kept it in command of Spains last Champions League berth for next season. In contrast, Betis was left 11 points from safety after a dismal performance that at times bordered on self-destruction amid some questionable refereeing decisions. Stitched Duke Jerseys .com) - The Vancouver Canucks recovered from a fluke goal early last time out to knock off one of the top teams in the league. http://www.cheapdukebluedevilsjerseys.com/ . The top-ranked Williams carried her winning momentum from 2013 into the new season, beating No. 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-5 on Saturday to defend her title at the Brisbane International and set the tone for the Australian Open.FRISCO, Texas - The Vancouver Whitecaps might have watched their playoff chances melt away in the heat of a stifling Texas night. In a matchup of teams battling head-to-head for the final playoff spot in Major League Soccers Western Conference, the Whitecaps run to the post-season took a hard hit when FC Dallas blew open a tie game with two goals in the final minutes for a 3-1 victory Saturday night. The win pushed Dallas (10-7-10) into playoff position, pending the result of late matches involving Colorado and Portland. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, dropped to 10-10-7 and stand seventh in the West with seven games to go. The top five teams earn playoff berths. Vancouvers next two matches, against San Jose and Montreal, are both on the road, where the Whitecaps are 2-8-3 this season. "We need to win on the road," goalkeeper Davis Ousted said. "We have two more away games now and we need to get at least one win. It was tough tonight. I think we deserved more than we got … we played a good game but we got punished by some incredible goals." All three of Dallas strikes were of the highlight-reel variety, and none was prettier than the winner. With the clock winding down and both teams desperate to pick up three points, Dallas took control with counterattack. Eric Hassli picked up a free ball at the top of the box and fed speedy forward Fabian Castillo, who beat Vancouvers Nigel Reo-Coker to the end line on the left. Castillos cross found streaking midfielder Mauro Diaz, who caught it right in stride and blasted a brilliant right-footed volley for a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute. "It was counter-attacking football at its best," Reo-Coker said. "It was top quality. They scored three fantastic goals and sometimes theres nothing you can do about that." Dallas put the game away in the 89th minute, when defender Jair Benitez, with space in the midfield area, took two steps across the centre stripe, saw Ousted positioned far out of his goal and let fly from 50 yards with his left foot. Ousted raced back and leaped to stop the ball, but it soared over his outstretched hand and into the top right corner of the net. "Its a great goal from his side but obviously Im not happy with my role in it," Ousted said. "I need to be quicker baack and defending my goal. Grant Hill College Jersey. I was looking to stay high and maybe get the pass in deep, but he just hit it amazingly." Added Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie: "(Benitez) could try that 100 times and its not going to go in again." The rough finish offset an uncharacteristic flying start for the Whitecaps, who had given up goals in the first three minutes in each of their previous two games. In the fourth minute, Camilo Sanvezzo started an exquisite sequence of passes by deftly dropping the ball to Kenny Miller in the right corner. Miller followed with a perfect cross that hit charging midfielder Daigo Kobayashi right in stride for a tap-in goal and a 1-0 lead. But it didnt last long. Just four minutes later, FC Dallas midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson tied it up after taking a seemingly innocuous pass on the left wing from Fabian Castillo. Given time and space by the soft Vancouver defence, Watson launched a 25-yard rocket that slipped just under the crossbar and past Ousteds fingertips. While Dallas dominated possession from that point and had several near misses, Vancouvers defence held firm despite the recorded 38-degree C heat at FC Dallas Stadium — until the final minutes. "Youre climatizing to different climates, different temperatures," Reo-Coker said. "Were not used to this heat and humidity. So we had to come up with a game plan. We had to be compact, tight, difficult to beat and play on the counterattack. "We did that, but they were the better team. They scored three fantastic goals and deserved to win." The result is an uphill fight for the Whitecaps as they try to remain in playoff contention. "Weve got a climb to get up there but I still feel like well get there," Rennie said. "Weve been here before. It was a tough struggle to get there last year and it will be this year. Its very close … I dont think it hurts our confidence. I just think its something we have to get over quickly." Reo-Coker said the Whitecaps mind-set is to do exactly that. "The saying goes, if youre going through a hole, just keep on going," he said. "Its as simple as that. At the moment were going through a little bit of a difficult patch. "Eventually well come out of this." Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Mets Jerseys Cheap Phillies Jerseys Cheap Nationals Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Brewers Jerseys Cheap Pirates Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Padres Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys ' ' '