Hes been second once and third twice on the PGA Tour this s

[blueberryjerry]

Hes been second once and third twice on the PGA Tour this season, clinched a spot in the Presidents Cup and is contending for the FedEx Cup title and a cool five-figure bonus. . But Graham DeLaet isnt actively looking to replace his idol as the new face of Canadian golf. "None of us is trying to be the next Mike Weir, thats for sure, because hes one of a kind," DeLaet said during a conference call Thursday. "He carried the flag for this country for a long time and did it well, not only just in golf but for sport in Canada in general. "Hes a tremendous ambassador for our country and the game and if I can be half the ambassador hes been Id be quite happy." Weir, of Brights Grove, Ont., is tied with the late George Knudson for most career PGA Tour wins by a Canadian with eight, but is the only Canuck to have won a major after his victory at the 2003 Masters. The veteran left-hander turned pro in 1992 and is ranked No. 20 in career earnings with over $27 million. But the 43-year-olds last PGA Tour win came in 2007 and he didnt make the cut in the 14 events he entered last year. So far in 2013, Weir has made the cut in nine of 22 tournaments and earned $194,510. DeLaet, 31, who battled back problems early in his career, is enjoying a breakthrough campaign. The native of Weyburn, Sask., who turned pro in 2006, finished tied for second -- a career best -- at The Barclays and his third-place finish Monday in the Deutsche Bank Championship earned him a spot on the international team for next months Presidents Cup in Dublin, Ohio. It will mark DeLaets first appearance in the Presidents Cup, an event Weir has played in five times. The two spoke briefly about the tournament earlier this year, but DeLaet wants to speak with Weir again about what he can expect. "I was actually planning on giving him a call and just picking his brain a little bit," DeLaet said. "We played a practice round in Hartford this year and at that time I was on the outside looking in for the Presidents Cup ... but it was on my radar and something I wanted to achieve. "Pretty much everyone Ive talked to says its the most amazing tournament that youll play in, the atmosphere is unbelievable. I havent played a ton of match play and obviously he took down (Tiger Woods in 2007 Presidents Cup) so he knows something about it." The Presidents Cup pits a team representing the U.S. against an international squad in a match-play format. Each game is worth a point with a maximum of 34 available so the side amassing 17.5 or more points wins. The U.S. has dominated this event, winning seven of nine played since its inception in 1994. The International sides lone victory came in 1998, with the 2003 competition finishing tied. DeLaet doesnt have much match-play experience but is embracing the format. "I actually feel it suits my game pretty well," DeLaet said. "You can be a lot more aggressive when needed and also play smart when needed. "Its obviously a totally different game, youre playing more against your competitor than you are the golf course ... its exciting to think about right now. I cant wait to play it." Although hell be a Presidents Cup rookie, DeLaet is more than comfortable to take a leadership role on the International squad, if required. "Ive played team sports all my life ... I feel like Im a good leader," he said. "Obviously Im going to be a rookie on that team so I probably wont assume a leadership role by any means but I feel I can help guys out. "We all know whats at stake and you dont want to let guys down. But at the same time if you can pump a guy up when hes a little bit down on himself or disappointed in a shot and let him know its not a big deal, that we have a lot of golf to play and you believe in him, thats really the thing." DeLaet has made the cut in 19 of 24 events this year and posted 12 top-25 finishes. Hes currently ranked fifth in the FedEx Cup standings, 16th on the PGA Tour money list (over $2.6 million) and No. 35 in the world golf rankings. "I was speaking with one of my buddies (Wednesday) and he was going through some things like the world rankings, money list and FedEx Cup and guys Im ahead of," DeLaet said. "I kind of sat back and thought, Wow, this has just been an unbelievable year. "I feel like theres been a couple of chances Ive let slip away a little bit but its great being in contention. My time is coming, I totally believe in that." But the season could become even more memorable if DeLaet manages to finish atop the FedEx Cup standings, which would earn him a $10-million bonus cheque. Remaining No. 5 wouldnt be bad either, given the $1-million bonus. However, being in contention for the top prize means DeLaet can allow himself to realistically think big. "If I can stay in the top-5 going into the Tour Championship, I have a legitimate chance of winning," DeLaet said. "I think its a realistic goal, to win it." .C. - Goodyear has warned teams that increased speeds at Charlotte Motor Speedway will put a heavy emphasis on the right front tires in Saturday nights race a€” a potentially key development for drivers trying to advance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said.DENVER -- The reeling Anaheim Ducks needed something to stop their slide. A record-setting second period did the trick. Kyle Palmieri scored two goals in 47 seconds, and the Ducks netted six in the second to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 on Friday night. Corey Perry, Daniel Winnik and Ben Lovejoy also scored for the Ducks, who stopped a four-game skid with their biggest offensive output since they scored nine goals against Vancouver on Jan. 1. The teams combined for nine goals in the second. "I wasnt anticipating that," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "When youre struggling and you get a win its just like a monkey off your back and you start relaxing and start playing better." Jonas Hiller made 34 saves two nights after giving up three goals on five shots before being pulled. Jamie McGinn scored two goals, and John Mitchell and Gabe Landeskog added goals for Colorado, which finished 2-2 on its homestand. The Ducks stayed tied with San Jose in the Pacific Division. The Sharks beat the New York Islanders on Friday. Both teams have 95 points, but the Ducks have played one fewer game. Anaheim came to Denver on the heels of a 7-2 defeat at Calgary, its worst since losing by five goals to Colorado on opening night. The Ducks stopped the slide with a franchise record for goals in a period. "I think it was just desperation," Winnik said. "We havent been playing very good hockey and weve been down after every first period. I think we are finally just sick and tired of chasing the third period. Five goals were scored in a span of 8:45 against goalie Semyon Varlamov, who left after Lovejoys shot bounced off the backboards and went in off his right leg to make it 5-2 at 11:31. "We couldnt stop the bleeding," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said. "Look at the fifth goal. It hit the backboards and goes in." Palmieri had given Anaheim a 3-2 lead with his 10th and 11th goals less than a minute apart. Perry scored his 36th just 1:06 later, and Lovejoy followed with his fourth. "It was one of those things we felt the ball start to roll and just kept on going with itt," Palmieri said. . The Avalanche played four of the top five teams in the Western Conference on this homestand and moved into second place, one point ahead of Chicago, which lost at home to Nashville on Friday night. They missed a chance to move further ahead of Chicago after their worst period of the season. "We just werent good enough defensively," centre Matt Duchene said. "It is disappointing. This was a big game for us." Mitchell, who signed a three-year extension a few hours before the game, gave Colorado a 1-0 lead at 12:25 of the first period. Winnik tied it early in the second. McGinn gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead before the Ducks broke out their offence. McGinn and Landeskog scored 38 seconds apart late in the second to cut the deficit to 5-4, but Anaheims Mathieu Perreault made it 6-4 with a redirection past goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere 30 seconds later. Tempers were raised throughout the third period. Colorado defenceman Erik Johnson was given a match penalty for a cross-check on Perreault at 2:07, and things flared up after Nathan MacKinnon had a goal disallowed because of a high stick. Players from both teams pushed and shoved in front of the benches, and after things settled down Avalanche enforcer Patrick Bordeleau reached across the partition between the benches to push Anaheims Patrick Maroon. Both players were ejected. It was reminiscent of opening night when Roy took exception to a hit on MacKinnon late in the Avalanches 6-1 win. He slammed the glass between the benches while shouting at Boudreau. Roy was fined $10,000 by the NHL for his actions. "I learned my lesson," Roy said. "I was quiet." NOTES: The Avalanche signed Mitchell to a three-year extension and G Reto Berra to a three-year contract. Both deals run through the 2016-17 season. ... Lovejoy returned to the lineup after missing Wednesdays game with the flu. ... Colorado C Paul Stastny missed his third straight game because of a back injury. He is day-to-day. ... Anaheim D Cam Fowler sustained a lower-body injury in the second period and didnt return. ' ' '

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