Canadian Mike Weir captures $270,000 in Telus Skins Game pitch-off

Weir wins $270,000 in Telus Skins

VICTORIA, British Columbia — Mike Weir has won $270,000 in the Telus Skins Game on Tuesday at the Bear Mountain Resort.

Weir’s win came down to a 125-yard pitch-off on the final hole after the five professional golfers went skinless over nine holes.

The prize money grew to include 12 skins, nine Tuesday and three left over from Monday’s nine holes.

South African Retief Goosen won $75,000 on Monday with five skins, but was skinless Tuesday.

Englishman Ian Poulter won one skin and $15,000 Monday, but failed to win a skin Tuesday.

Colombian Camilo Villegas and crowd favorite Fred Couples of the United States were skinless over the two days.

“It was tough to make birdies out there,” said Weir, noting the five golfers only made seven birdies Tuesday and 15 birdies Monday. “It was just that kind of a day. It was kind of tough to separate yourself. We had to go to extra holes.”

The golfer from Ontario credited his win to hitting the right shot at the right time.

“That’s what skins is.”

Weir narrowly missed winning a $245,000 skin on the par-4 17th, but his putt hit the edge of the hole and lipped out.

Weir said he didn’t know he won the pitch-off until a tournament official said his shot was about 1½ feet ahead of the next closest by Villegas.

Weir said he plans to take some time off before playing in the British Open next month at St. Andrews in Scotland.