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By Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent

ILE BIZARD, MONTREAL, Canada -- He's not just a national hero.

Mike Weir made the Presidents Cup team as a Captain's Pick after an outstanding July run. (WireImage)

He's his country's passion.

Mike Weir won't tell you that, but we will.

Yes, Canadians love Tiger Woods. And they're pretty darn tied to Jim Furyk, too, seeing as how he's won their national open twice.

Yet when it really comes down to it, when they think golf, Canadians think Weir. They cheer Weir. They talk Weir. They blog Weir. And yes, they're passionate. When he won the Green Jacket, they were over the top.

And when he doesn't win or when he's struggling with a swing change -- as he did until earlier this year -- they take it personally. As in grumpy posts and emails to his website.

But this week? Trust us, the galleries at Royal Montreal will be transforming the course -- and event -- into a distinctly partisan setting. Think loud. Raucous. Canadian Open presented by Franklin Templeton Investments.

"Here, he brings a massive atmosphere,'' said Geoff Ogilvy, one of his teammates. "I've played in the Canadian Open when Mike's been in contention and there's something special about it.''

Doubly special here. Yes, Weir is one of the leaders of this International Team. But he's also one big reason the event is here. Weir didn't let up in his quest to have the event here and Captain Gary Player responded by making Weir one of his Captain's Picks.

Now, the big question, it seems, is whether the captains will continue a tradition of having the top home-grown International player face off against Tiger (Ernie Els in 2003 in South Africa; Greg Norman in 1998 in Australia) in Sunday's singles. Yes, they're already over the top, asking the what-if question often. And in every which way.

"That's tough for me to answer that, as far as we want to win,'' Weir said. "If I'm playing really well, you know, I'd love the chance to play him.

Weir owns a solid 8-6 mark in three Presidents Cup appearances. (WireImage)

"It might be icing on the cake for me to get a chance to get in there and possibly beat him. You know, I know come Sunday in singles, we just want to pair up who is going to match up the best. As I said, this is my fourth time.

"I haven't been on a winning team yet; we tied once and lost twice. Gary wants to make sure that we do the right thing, not just for myself to put me against Tiger, but for everybody. We're trying to win this.''

A win here might just help Weir finally round the corner. He changed his swing and has been showing signs that he's ready to become a short-lister once again.

Back-to-back ties for eighth at the AT&T National and The Open Championship -- at a windy, cold Carnoustie -- were perhaps the best sign that Weir is in control of his game.

He doesn't think about his swing now, he just plays. He's longer and stronger -- thanks to a new conditioning program, too. There's no worries of being in the right position. And had he not injured his neck the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, he might have made a FedExCup run. Instead, he wound up with a three-week holiday coming into the Presidents Cup.

Still, Weir is one of the veterans here. He's 8-6-0 overall in the event and 2-1-0.

And, when asked what else he might bring to the team? Ogilvy laughed. "He brought some good wine last night."

Weir, who was born in Ontario, is the gracious host this week -- and not just bringing wine to his teammates. His popularity puts him front-and-center right now. There's more media requests, more face time.

"But once, you know, you kind of get between the ropes and on the course on Thursday, all of the autographs stop,'' he said, "and you can focus on golf and your game.''

Weir had a strong partner in 2005 in Trevor Immelman, but Player said Immelman will likely pair up with Rory Sabbatini, who's playing with in the World Cup. Whoever Weir draws will in an instant spotlight, playing with the national favorite.

"The fans today were a little quiet, we were talking about it today, but as the day wore on, everybody started waking up a little bit,'' he said. "The excitement started to grow; it's Tuesday. As a fan of golf and golf in this country and wanting golf in this country to grow in popularity as a fan, as well, I'm excited for that, so looking forward to the week.''

And that glare. He's the lone Canadian, but he's hardly alone. He has four Australians, four South Africans, one Argentine, one Korean and one Fijian playing with him to shoulder the four-day load.

And, yes, the Canadian galleries will cheer for them all. Just loudest for the man they hope is on his way, not just to a Presidents Cup win, but more majors.

"I've looked to this for a long time,'' he said. "I've had three weeks off, I'm rested and ready to go and my game feels good.''

He can't ask for more. Except maybe a win.

As for the Tiger what-if? We won't go there. We'll let everyone else.